County reallocates contingency funds to pilot fare‑free transit through September 2026
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Summary
El Paso County approved reallocating $145,088 from general contingency to support a fare‑free transit pilot through Sept. 30, 2026, after staff advised the capital outlay for fare equipment was less cost‑effective than a temporary fare‑free approach; purchasing staff asked that PO cancellation proceed administratively.
El Paso County Commissioners on Dec. 15 authorized a transfer of $145,088 from the general fund contingency account to the transit professional services budget to support a fare‑free transit pilot run by the El Paso Area Transportation Services Local Government Corporation from Dec. 22, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026.
John Ando, executive director for ETA, said an analysis of five years of fare revenue showed the cost to procure and maintain Genfare equipment exceeded the likely revenues and that the county could instead pilot a fare‑free service to increase mobility and improve equity for low‑income riders. Purchasing staff asked the court to allow purchase‑order cancellation to be handled administratively to reduce vendor risk; the court approved the reallocation and authorized staff to continue program evaluation for FY27 budget recommendations.
County budget staff clarified the funds will come from the general contingency (a FY25 purchase order) and not from a separate transit contingency, and the court adjusted the motion to reflect that point before voting. The purchasing agent said cancellation of the existing PO will be handled through purchasing and the county attorney's office to mitigate vendor litigation risk.
The court approved the transfer and directed staff to return with program evaluation and recommendations tied to the FY27 budget process.