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Council hears senior van-pool report; staff seeks $55,000 city match
Summary
Parks & Rec Director Daniel Carranco and South Central Regional Transit District executive director David Armijo described a senior van-pool launched March 9, 2026; staff said a city budget amendment includes a $55,000 match and that a federal grant will cover roughly half the program’s cost.
City parks officials and the South Central Regional Transit District briefed the Sunland Park City Council on July 7 about a senior-transportation program aimed at improving mobility for older residents.
Daniel Carranco, parks and recreation director, said the senior center opened in December 2023 and the senior van-pool began service on March 9, 2026. The program provides weekday trips to the senior center, medical appointments and special outings such as museums and senior Olympics events.
"The senior van pool has opened up not just a reliable means of getting to the senior center… but it has opened up a world of opportunities for our seniors," Carranco said during his presentation.
David Armijo, executive director of South Central Regional Transit District, said the district has expanded its fleet since 2015 and can operate multi‑jurisdictional services, including cross‑state connections where appropriate. Armijo said the transit district expects to apply for a federal grant that would cover about half of the van‑pool cost and asked the city for an adjustment to the local cost share.
Staff told the council a budget amendment on the final budget would include a $55,000 city match to support the program. Councilors thanked staff and the transit district for securing funds and outreach that tapped federal and state resources.
What’s next: The council has the budget amendment in its packet for final approval; staff said the program will continue to develop ridership and the transit district is exploring a paratransit (door‑to‑door) service to augment demand‑response offerings in coming months.
