SCRTD asks MPO to amend bus grant, discusses hybrid option, new facility and fleet growth

The South Central Regional Transit District asked the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization on April 9, 2025, to amend a multi‑phase grant so the district can substitute hybrid buses for planned battery electric buses if federal requirements or pricing make full electric vehicles infeasible, SCRTD Executive Director David Armijo told board members.

The request follows federal and state shifts affecting grant requirements and bus pricing. Tim (last name not specified), who presented the MPO item remotely, said the El Paso MPO had originally awarded CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) funds for five buses in three phases but that the funding for phase 3 is being changed to a Surface Transportation Large Urban program, “which comes with fewer requirements for air quality and will potentially allow for a change from electric buses to hybrid buses,” he said.

Armijo said the district has seen electric‑bus prices rise while hybrid prices have remained steady, creating a roughly $300,000 per‑bus cost difference. He told the board that converting the phase 3 award to allow hybrids could expand pricing flexibility and improve the district’s chances of keeping the MPO funds. He added that the change could also unlock a new application to the New Mexico matching fund that might cover the local match for some buses.

Why it matters: The district has been pursuing a rapid fleet upgrade and related capital projects that depend on federal, state and utility support. Armijo noted the window of federal capital available from recent programs runs through 2026 and cautioned board members that long‑term federal funding beyond 2026 is uncertain. That uncertainty, he said, underpins the request to preserve flexibility now.

What the district reported: Armijo said ridership is up about 30 percent over last year, citing a five‑month count that peaked at about 15,000 rides in one month versus a typical 12,000; he attributed growth partly to the district’s free‑fare program. The district has recently introduced Saturday service and has tested several electric buses in revenue service for about three to four weeks, he said. Current on‑route observations show morning duty cycles of roughly 120 miles and afternoon cycles up to about 190 miles; Armijo estimated tested ranges might approach 280 miles under some conditions but said official testing is ongoing.

Fleet and chargers: Armijo reported the district has taken delivery of three electric buses (with three more en route), bringing the fleet to five Gillig electric buses plus two hybrid electrics for a total of seven newer buses. The district also installed chargers at its new facility and is negotiating with El Paso Electric to help fund additional chargers and a transformer; Armijo said the utility had provided about $70,000 toward the transformer and was expected to contribute to charger costs and rebates.

Facility, NEPA and Venus project: The board heard an update on the district’s Venus project, a proposed bus facility of roughly 3.4 acres on a flat, undeveloped parcel the district expects will be simpler to permit. Zia Engineering is expected to be under contract; Armijo said the state New Mexico matching fund is the intended source for the local match on that project. For environmental review, Armijo said the district budgeted $135,000 from state matching funds for project implementation and expected to spend only about $10,000 on the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) phase so far.

Shelters and cost control: The district reported high bids for custom glass bus shelters (roughly $12,500 per shelter plus pad and installation costs), and staff showed in‑house prototypes built by mechanics for about $1,000 in materials and district labor. Armijo said in‑house shelters lack roof‑mounted solar charging now and noted tradeoffs between cost savings and staff capacity to build and maintain units.

Grand opening and microgrid: Armijo announced the grand opening of the Summit Park Mobility and Energy Hub (also called Summerlin Park Mobility and Energy Hub in presentation materials) planned for April 22, 2025. He said the district invested roughly $2.1 million in the seven‑and‑a‑half acre facility, which includes bus chargers and will later host a solar array/microgrid as a second phase.

Board action: The board approved a resolution authorizing submission of a grant amendment request to the El Paso MPO to allow flexibility for phase 3 of the electric bus acquisition (motion moved by Council Member Flores; second not clearly identified in the transcript). The board took a roll‑call vote and the resolution passed, with the roll‑call for the item recorded as “Yes” from multiple board members.

What remains uncertain: Armijo and board members flagged two uncertainties: 1) whether federal or state directives will change program rules for electric buses beyond the district’s current awards; and 2) the availability of similar capital programs after federal funding windows close in 2026. Armijo said the district intends to pursue grants and state/local matches while preserving flexibility to avoid losing awarded funds.

Ending: SCRTD staff said they will pursue the MPO amendment and continue bus testing, charger coordination with the utility, NEPA work for Venus, and outreach related to the April 22 hub opening. The board directed staff to move the amendment forward to keep the funding opportunity available.