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SCRTD advances two‑year ‘Jupyter’ mobility pilot to connect workers to Santa Teresa jobs
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Summary
Executive Director David Armijo asked the board to endorse a two‑year mobility pilot — centered on Project Jupiter and nearby industrial parks — that would start with three vans, seek private funding partners and focus outreach on workforce connections; board members pressed on routing, college and border‑crossing connections.
Executive Director David Armijo asked the South Central Regional Transit District board to endorse a proposed two‑year mobility pilot aimed at connecting workers to Project Jupiter and adjacent industrial parks in the Santa Teresa area.
"So we're looking at a 2 year mobility pilot program," Armijo told the board, saying the pilot would begin with a three‑vehicle fleet (two in service and one spare). He estimated vehicle capital at roughly $300,000 and operations—drivers and maintenance—at about $150,000 over two years.
The nut graph: The pilot is designed to test demand and workforce connections before scaling. Armijo said staff will seek private partners, tap various grant sources for rural service, and perform outreach to communities and employers before a planned fall launch.
Board members asked how narrowly the route would focus on Project Jupiter versus a broader business‑industrial park and whether the pilot would connect to training programs. Armijo said the program will likely start with core trips and expand as needed: "If we only go to Project Jupiter, we will not be successful," he said, urging a broader circulator and connections to existing routes.
Discussion covered potential partners and funding. Armijo said conversations are underway with Oracle, the Border Industrial Association and Borderplex, and he has drafted a letter to engage the company behind Project Jupiter. He identified Doña Ana County and local grant programs as possible public funding sources but emphasized pursuing private contributions to leverage public dollars.
Staff described practical next steps: community outreach, route mapping tied to job‑site schedules, and satisfaction surveys to measure ridership. Board members suggested connecting the pilot to the Doña Ana Community College campus and to pedestrian crossing plans at Sunland Park to improve worker access.
The board did not take a formal vote on launching service; members generally signaled support and asked staff to return with more detailed route, funding and outreach plans. Armijo said staff will present a refined plan after public outreach and partner commitments are clearer.
