Free bus fare continues in Doña Ana County in 2024

Doña Ana County residents will have continuing access to free bus service from January through June, per an announcement Wednesday from the South Central Regional Transit District.

SCRTD has been operating county-wide bus service since 2016, and reported carrying more than 100,000 riders during 2023 over eight routes serving three counties, connecting riders to Roadrunner TRANSIT, El Paso’s Sun Metro and other bus operators. County ridership has increased by 20 percent over 2022, the district said.

The SCRTD governing board approved fare-free bus service for the first half of 2024 at their December meeting, expanding free public transit throughout the county, including routes connecting to El Paso.

Doña Ana Commissioner Manuel Sanchez stated in a news release that the free service presents residents with an opportunity try out public transit: "According to the 2020 US Census, residents in rural counties such as Doña Ana spend about 20 percent of their household incomes on transportation annually. By offering a Fare Free service, we will allow those who drive today to experience SCRTD's safe and convenient service while saving on their family's budgets and helping us to improve our air quality."

Additionally, SCRTD noted it has added new routes, passenger amenities and Google Transit to assist users in using the transit system. Electric-powered buses are coming to its fleet in the future, also, as the district transitions to a zero-emissions fleet within the decade.

SCRTD board chair Javier Perea, who is also the mayor of Sunland Park, stated, "Most other transit agencies in the nation have cut their service dramatically because of the (Covid-19) pandemic. SCRTD has controlled its cost, making it possible to provide free public transit. Offering free fares will allow more people to give SCRTD a try."

Schedule and route information is available online at SCRTD.org or by calling 575-323-1620.