Tag Archives: sun metro

For the fourth year in a row, Sun Metro is teaming up with non-profit organizations to provide youth with free transportation during the summer months.

“Over the years this program has increased in participation allowing kids to stay active and busy with out-of-school time activities and alleviating any possible transportation barriers,” said Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak.

The Kids on the Go! Summer Youth Transportation program will offer the free bus rides to qualifying youths through August 31, 2018 through nonprofit organizations that provide summer programs for local children.

Program officials add “The United Way of El Paso is serving as the liaison between Sun Metro and agencies participating in this initiative. Sun Metro will provide information to interested children and offer transportation to attend their favorite summer program. Select agencies are currently enrolling youth in the program.”

For a complete list of participating agencies visit SunMetro Programs and Annual Events section on their webpage

Youth between the ages of 6 to 18 years who are enrolled in summer programs from non-profit agencies participating in this initiative are eligible for the free passes.

Children under the age of 12 will receive a distinguished pass to allow for a companion, over the age 12, to ride with the child free of charge.

Children under the age of 5 always ride for free.

For more information about Sun Metro, visit their website, Facebook page, follow them on Twitter or call (915) 212-3333.

The Paso del Norte Institute for Healthy Living (IHL) at The University of Texas at El Paso is recruiting 1,250 people for a study on the impact public transportation has on the health and mobility of El Pasoans.

The five-year study, called “Fighting Obesity by Reinventing Public Transportation: A Natural Experiment,” is led by Texas A&M University and is being carried out in collaboration with Leah Whigham, Ph.D., IHL executive director, and Jay Banasiak, director of Sun Metro, El Paso’s public transportation service.

The IHL at UTEP, which is primarily funded by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, works with community partners to develop collaborative and sustainable solutions that promote healthy eating and active living in our region.

Researchers will compare physical activity levels of residents who live within a half-mile radius of the new Alameda and Dyer Brio Rapid Transit System lines before and after the stations are operational at the end of 2018. Residents of other selected neighborhoods in El Paso also are invited to join the study.

They will serve as comparison participants. Participants must be 20 years old or older and not be full-time students.

Individuals interested in participating are invited to take an online survey at m.ActiveElPaso.org. Eligible participants will receive a $10 gift card for completing the 30-minute survey.

Those who complete the survey may also join a one-week assessment and receive a $50 gift card. It will involve wearing two small devices and keeping a daily travel log for seven days. The data from this assessment will help researchers determine if bus rapid transit systems such as Brio promote physical and social activity.

The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and Texas A&M University. It is co-led by Texas A&M faculty members Chanam Lee, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning; Wei Li, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning; and Marcia Ory, Ph.D., in the Center on Population Health and Aging.

For questions or to request a paper copy of the survey, visit them online, email ActiveElPasoStudy@gmail.com, or call 915-257-5865.

For information about the IHL, visit their website.

Sun Metro invites artists to apply for a chance to display their original art in the new Arves E. Jones, Sr. Transit Center at Northgate.

The Arves E. Jones, Sr. Transit Center at Northgate, located at 9348 Diana on the site that used to be the Northgate (then Northpark) Mall, is nearing completion of construction and will open soon.

The transit center is part of El Paso’s efforts to enhance its regional comprehensive transportation system. It also will provide civic space for the public to gather, and serve as an economic development engine for local business and surrounding community.

Sun Metro officials say that the center is the “anchor to a public-private partnership transit-oriented development planned for the remaining 23 acres of the former mall’s site.”

Artists selected for this project will have their art displayed in the interior of the transit center. A selection panel will review applications and select artists whose work is creative and reflective to the El Paso region.

Applications are available online by clicking on the “Opportunities” tab, then on “Arves E. Jones, Sr. Transit Center at Northgate.”

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on May 6, 2018.

For more information, please visit the website or contact Irene Villa at VillaIX@elpasotexas.gov or Aidee Cosme at cosmeia@elpasotexas.gov.

Sun Metro will recognize its passengers by providing free rides on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2017, as part of Customer Appreciation Day.

Sun Metro customers, including those who ride the LIFT and utilize Sun Metro’s paratransit services, may ride any bus all day free on Thanksgiving Day.

Customer Appreciation Day will also allow customers to participate in and support citywide celebrations such as the Thanksgiving Day Celebration at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center in downtown.

“Sun Metro constantly seeks ways to give back to the community and we are delighted to help our loyal passengers in our own small way celebrate and enjoy this day of thanks,” said Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak. “We also welcome new, first-time passengers to experience the interconnectivity of our service which results in greater mobility throughout El Paso.”

Sun Metro’s fixed-route will run on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day. The Brio Service as well as routes 90, 91, 92 and 93 will not be operating, as these routes do not run on Sundays.

Sun Metro customer service line for fixed routes will work on a Sunday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sun Metro ticket offices at the Eastside Transfer Center (1165 Sunmount), the Robert E. McKee Five Points Transfer Center (2830 Montana Ave.), and the Bert Williams Downtown Santa Fe Transfer Center (601 Santa Fe) will be closed on November 23.

All Sun Metro bus services and ticket offices will resume a regular schedule on Friday, November 24.

The administrative offices (10151 Montana) will be closed on November 23 and 24. The offices will resume regular schedule on Monday, November 27, 2017.

Sun Metro is once again offering the Park+Ride service to and from the Sun Bowl stadium to watch UTEP Miner Football this season.

All fans need to do is visit one of Sun Metro’s six Park+Ride lots and catching a ride to the game. The service starts on Saturday, September 9, 2017, when the Miners take on the Houston Rice Owls at 6:00 p.m.

Park+Ride bus trips are $3 round trip. Children 5 and under ride free and must be accompanied by an adult.

Departure times will vary depending on location. The public is asked to arrive early and carry exact change for fare box. Drivers can provide change cards for bus-use only, but DO NOT have access to currency. Reduced fares and bus passes will NOT be accepted on these special routes.

The drop-off sites will be located near Memorial Gym on the north end of the Sun Bowl stadium. Fans will be picked up at the SAME location where they were dropped off. There will ONLY be two return trips — two hours after kick-off and at the end of the game.

Parking at all Sun Metro facilities is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parking is free, except at the Union Plaza Transit Terminal and Glory Road Transfer Center.

If traveling to the Glory Transfer Center, the public is reminded that the outside lanes along Oregon Street are bus-only lanes — parking is NOT allowed. Violators risk being towed.

DESIGNATED BUS ROUTES & SCHEDULE FOR UTEP- HOUSTON RICE GAME  |  NOTE: Some of the Park+Ride lots have ONLY ONE DEPARTURE TIME. Please arrive early.

 

EASTSIDE TRANSFER CENTER
1165 Sunmount Dr.

Parking: Free
Cost: $3 round-trip fare
Route: 59 Special (boarding along Sunmount)
Departure times: 4:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Return times: 8:00 p.m. and end of game

EDGEMERE @ R.C. POE PARK+RIDE
Edgemere near R.C. Poe (one block west of Rich Beem Blvd.)

Parking: Free
Cost: $3 round-trip fare
Route: 75 Special
Departure time: 4:30 p.m.

Return times: 8:00 p.m. and end of game

 

MISSION VALLEY TRANSFER CENTER
9065 Alameda Ave.

Parking: Free
Cost: $3 round-trip fare
Route: 3 Special (Bay E)
Departure time: 4:30 p.m.

Return times: 8:00 p.m. and end of game

 

NORTHGATE TRANSFER CENTER
9348 Dyer Dr.

Parking: Free
Cost: $3 round-trip fare
Route: 42 Special (north side of terminal)
Departure time: 4:30 p.m.

Return times: 8:00 p.m. and end of game

UNION PLAZA TRANSIT TERMINAL
400 W. San Antonio

Parking: $7 per vehicle before 9:00 p.m. and $10 per vehicle after 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $3 round-trip fare
Route: 205 Special
Departure times: 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Return times: 8:00 p.m. and end of game

 

WESTSIDE TRANSFER CENTER
7535 Remcon Cir.

Parking: Free
Cost: $3 round-trip fare
Route: 18 Special
Departure time: 5:00 p.m.
Return times: 8:00 p.m. and end of game

 

IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER

• Bus service may be delayed before AND after the game due to traffic congestion
• HAVE EXACT CHANGE FOR THE FAREBOX ($3 per person; ages 5 and under are free)
• Buses will pick up fans at the SAME location as the drop-off site near the Memorial Gym
• NO FOOD, DRINKS or SMOKING allowed on the buses
• NO TAILGATING allowed in any parking garages

NO COOLERS or UMBRELLAS allowed in Sun Bowl (full list of prohibited items at tailgating.utep.edu

Construction of the Sun Metro Brio Rapid Transit System continues to move forward along the Alameda and Dyer corridors.

The Brio service will offer El Pasoans a high-quality RTS. The service will improve speed and reliability that much larger cities provide through light rail transit systems. Brio has the added advantage of lower implementation cost. Station amenities will feature:

• Bus shelters (providing wind and sun protection)
• Installation of a raised platform (providing near-level boarding)
• Pre-paid automatic ticket vending
• Benches, leaning rails, bike racks and trash cans
• Sidewalk improvements to ADA compliance
• Landscaping and pedestrian lighting

The new service will have various amenities to include: uniquely branded 60-foot articulated buses; a frequency of 10 minutes (peak service) to 15 minutes (off-peak service); have less frequent stops; branded and landscaped stations with improved pedestrian amenities and signal prioritization (lengthen green traffic signals).

Sun Metro’s Alameda Brio service will connect Mission Valley to Central and Downtown El Paso. This $35.5 million dollar project will be approximately 14.5 miles in length.

Sun Metro’s Brio Dyer will connect the future Northgate Transfer Center to the Downtown Transfer Center. This $35.9 million dollar project will be approximately 11.4 miles in length.

Although construction is on-going and closed for passengers, these areas are still open to pedestrian traffic. Sun Metro asks that necessary precautions are taken when walking through the impacted areas.

ALAMEDA BRIO CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS

• Construction continues at the following locations:

o   4700 Alameda Avenue near Val Verde Street (outbound) next to Jefferson High School

o   8600 Alameda Avenue near Davis Drive (outbound) next to Ysleta High School

o   1918 Texas Avenue near Laurel Street (outbound) next to El Paso Leadership Academy

o   Alameda Avenue near Vocational Drive (outbound)

o   Alameda Avenue near Copia (inbound)

o   Alameda Avenue and George Orr (outbound)

o   Alameda Avenue near Raynor (outbound)

o   Alameda Avenue near Pendell (inbound)

o   Alameda Avenue near East San Antonio Avenue (outbound)

o   Texas Avenue near Ange Street (outbound)

o   Texas Avenue near Eucalyptus (inbound)

o   Magoffin Avenue near East San Antonio Avenue (outbound)

• Construction of a new bus station is scheduled for Monday, July 10, 2017. This station will have pre-construction activity to include traffic control and concrete barriers beginning Sunday, July 9, 2017:

o   Alameda Avenue near Pendell Road (outbound)  

ALAMEDA BRIO SERVICE IMPACTS

• The existing boarding location on Alameda Avenue near Pendell Road (outbound) will be temporarily out of service affecting routes 61,65, and 66. The existing bus stops at Alameda Avenue near Maryland Street and Alameda Avenue near Cargill Street will be utilized.
• The existing boarding location on Alameda Avenue near Hadlock Street close to Jefferson High School continues to be out of service. A temporary bus stop on Alameda Avenue between Boll Place and Fullan Street by Jefferson High School’s parking lot continues to be utilized.
• The existing boarding location on Alameda Avenue near Davis Drive (outbound) close to Ysleta High School continues to be out of service. A temporary bus stop on Alameda Avenue in front of Ysleta High School continues to be utilized.
• The existing boarding location on Texas Avenue near Laurel Street next to the El Paso Leadership Academy continues to be out of service. A temporary bus stop on Texas Avenue between Williams Street and Laurel Street near the railroad tracks continues to be utilized.
• The existing boarding location on Alameda Avenue near Vocational Drive continues to be out of service. A temporary bus stop at the west side of Riverside Park continues to be utilized.
• The existing boarding location on Alameda Avenue near Copia continues to be out of service. A temporary bus stop at 3417 Alameda continues to be utilized.
• The existing boarding location on Alameda Avenue and George Orr (outbound) continues to be out of service. The existing bus stop by Ascarate Elementary School and Alameda Avenue near C.R. Croom continues to be utilized.
• Due to construction at the San Antonio Toltec Station:

o   Routes 4, 21, 22, 55 and 62 continue to board at existing bus stop on Magoffin Avenue near Ochoa Street

o   Routes 61 and 66 continue to have a temporary bus stop placed on Magoffin Avenue near Virginia Street.

DYER BRIO CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS

• Construction continues at the following locations:
• o   Kansas Street near San Antonio (inbound)
• o   Montana Avenue near Cotton (inbound)
• o   Montana Avenue near St. Vrain Street (outbound)
• o   Campbell between Myrtle and Texas (outbound)
• o   Five Points Transfer Center area (Chase Bank and Subway restaurant)
• The next bus stations scheduled for construction are:
• o   Pershing Drive near Copia Street (inbound)
• o   Downtown Transfer Center

DYER BRIO SERVICE IMPACTS

• Routes 35 and 50 will experience minor schedule delay due to construction on St. Vrain Street near Montana Avenue.
• Routes traveling near San Antonio and Kansas area may experience minor schedule delays due to construction.
• Routes 4, 21, 22 and 61 continue to experience minor schedule delay due to construction.
• Routes 24, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 41, 50 and 55 continue to experience minor schedule delay due to construction by the Five Points Transfer Center.

For the third year in a row, United Way of El Paso County and Sun Metro have partnered to carry out the summer youth transportation program, Kids on the Go!

Kids on the Go! is an initiative meant to help increase participation in out-of-school time activities by alleviating possible transportation barriers youth might have.

Through the program, youth enrolled in a participating summer program are eligible to receive a free pass that allows them to ride Sun Metro buses for free.

Last year, nearly 700 youth used the passes a total of 5,733 times throughout the summer months.

Any 501c3 nonprofit, city and county department, and local school district are eligible to receive free bus passes for youth (ages 6-18 years old) enrolled in their summer programs.

Children 6-12 years old must have an accompanying adult who will also be provided a free pass. Passes are valid from June 1 to August 31, 2017.

Agencies interested in offering participants access to this summer transportation option can contact United Way for more information.

Parents who would like a bus pass for their child must have their child enrolled in a participating program by a participating agency which currently includes Reynolds Home, Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, Project Bravo, El Paso Center for Children, House of Hope, Salvation Army, El Paso Public Library, El Paso Parks and Recreation, City of El Paso’s Museum of Cultural Affairs Department, Project Vida, YWCA El Paso, Latinitas, and Boys & Girls Club.

For a third consecutive year, Sun Metro will partner with non-profit organizations to provide youth with free transportation during the summer months.

“Parents can avoid the hassle of having to drive the kids to their summer program. Sun Metro provides transit for the youth of our community all while helping them stay active and busy this summer,” said Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak.

The Kids on the Go! Summer Youth Transportation program will offer free bus rides to qualifying youths from June 1, 2017 through August 31, 2017 through nonprofit organizations that provide summer programs for local children.

The United Way of El Paso is serving as the liaison between Sun Metro and agencies participating in this initiative. Sun Metro will provide information to interested children and offer transportation to attend their favorite summer program. Select agencies are currently enrolling youth in the program. For a complete list of participating agencies visit SunMetro.net’s Programs and Annual Events section.

Youth between the ages of 6 to 18 years who are enrolled in summer programs from non-profit agencies participating in this initiative are eligible for the free passes. Children under the age of 12 will receive a distinguished pass to allow for a companion, over the age 12, to ride with the child free of charge.

Children under the age of 5 always ride for free.

For more information about Sun Metro or call (915) 212-3333. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @SunMetro.

El Paso commuters who travel along Piedras Street near Tularosa Avenue to the Robert E. McKee Five Points Transfer Center will see construction crews for Sun Metro’s Dyer Brio RTS (Rapid Transit System) beginning March 13, 2017.

Starting today through approximately April 3, 2017 crews will be constructing three out of 20 Brio bus stations for the Dyer corridor. The Dyer Brio construction should be completed in mid-2018. The Dyer Corridor is the third of four RTS corridors (Mesa, Alameda, Dyer, and Montana) serving various parts of the city.

Sun Metro staff will monitor the affected area to assist passengers.

IMPACTED SUN METRO SERVICE

• The cross streets Tularosa near Piedras (Entrance to the Five Points Transfer Center)
• The cross streets Kansas near San Antonio (Inbound route heading south)
• The cross streets Campbell near Myrtle (Outbound route heading north)

Sun Metro’s Dyer Brio service will offer El Pasoans a high-quality RTS, which will connect the future Northgate Transfer Center to the Downtown Transfer Center. This $35.9 million dollar project will be approximately 11.4 miles in length, and will offer El Pasoans improved speed and reliability that much larger cities provide through light rail transit systems. Brio has the added advantage of lower implementation cost. Station amenities will feature:

• Bus shelters (providing wind and sun protection)
• Installation of a raised platform (providing near-level boarding)
• Pre-paid automatic ticket vending
• Benches, leaning rails, bike racks and trash cans
• Sidewalk improvements to ADA compliance
• Landscaping and pedestrian lighting

The new service will have various amenities to include: uniquely branded 60-foot articulated buses; a frequency of 10 minutes (peak service) to 15 minutes (off-peak service); have less frequent stops; branded and landscaped stations with improved pedestrian amenities and signal prioritization (lengthen green traffic signals).

The Street Car Project will require Sun Metro to detour several routes in the downtown area effective Tuesday, February 21, 2017.

The ongoing street car construction will detour routes 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 33, 34, 35, 36, 42, 50, 55, 59, 61, 62, 65, 66, 75, 83 and Brio. The detours will change as the construction progresses and are expected to be in place until further notice.

Drivers will make courtesy stops as needed. Sun Metro routes will likely see delays due to traffic in the construction area, especially during peak hours.

The impacted routes are:

Route 1

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto Oregon, right onto Wyoming, right onto Mills, left onto Campbell, right onto Missouri and onto I-10 East.

Buses traveling inbound from Oregon will make a right onto Fourth. Passengers may board on Fourth and El Paso street.

Route 3

Buses traveling inbound from the Border Highway will make a right onto Mesa, left onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a right onto Oregon, left onto Seventh, right onto Kansas and left onto Loop 375.

Route 4

Buses traveling outbound from the Union Plaza Transit Terminal will make a left onto El Paso, right onto San Antonio, right onto Stanton, right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Buses traveling inbound from Father Rham will make a left onto Florence, right onto Seventh, left onto Kansas and return to the regular route.

Route 9

Buses traveling outbound from Texas will make a left onto Florence, right onto Myrtle and return to the regular route.

Route 10

Buses traveling outbound from the Downtown Transfer Center will exit Fourth, left onto Oregon and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Stanton will make a left onto Kansas, right onto Rim, left onto Mesa, right onto Schuster and return to the regular route.

Route 11

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto Oregon, right onto Montana, left onto Mesa, right onto Gregory, right onto Stanton, left onto Kansas, left onto Cincinnati and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Cincinnati will make a left onto Kansas, right onto Rim, left onto Mesa, right onto Yandell, left onto Oregon, right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 14 and 15

Buses traveling outbound from the Downtown Transfer Center will make a left onto Oregon, right onto Montana, left onto Mesa, left onto University, right onto Oregon and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Oregon will make a left onto University, right onto Mesa, right onto Yandell, left onto Oregon, right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Routes 18 and 83

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth Street will make a left onto El Paso, left onto Paisano, right onto Spur 1966 and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from I-10 East will make a right onto Oregon, right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Routes 21, 22, and 55

Buses traveling inbound from Oregon will make a right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 23

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto El Paso, right onto Paisano and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Seventh will make a right onto Mesa, left onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 24

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a right onto Mesa, left onto Seventh and continue to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Paisano will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 33

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Paisano and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Piedras will make a right onto Paisano, left onto Mesa, right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 34

Buses traveling outbound from Oregon will make a right onto Wyoming, left onto Stanton and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Arizona will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Yandell, left onto Oregon and return to the regular route.

Routes 35 and 50

Buses traveling outbound from Oregon will make a right onto Wyoming, left onto Stanton and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Yandell will make a left onto Oregon and return to the regular route.

Route 36

Buses traveling inbound from Arizona will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Yandell, left onto Oregon and return to the regular route.

Routes 42 and 59

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Paisano, left onto Campbell and return to the regular route.

Routes 61 and 66

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Paisano and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Oregon will make a right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 62

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Paisano and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Oregon will make a right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 65

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto El Paso, right onto Paisano, right onto Stanton and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Paisano will make a left onto Mesa, right onto Fourth and proceed into the Downtown Transfer Center.

Route 75

Buses traveling outbound from Stanton will make a left onto Mills, right onto Oregon, right onto Montana, left onto Mesa, left onto University, right onto Oregon and return to the regular route.

Brio

Buses traveling outbound from Fourth will make a left onto Oregon, right onto Montana, left onto Mesa, left onto Cincinnati, right onto Oregon and return to the regular route.

Buses traveling inbound from Glory Road will make a left onto Cincinnati, right onto Mesa, right onto Yandell, left onto Oregon, right onto Fourth and return to the regular route.

The Sun Metro Citizen’s Advisory Committee is giving the public another opportunity to submit nominations for the naming of the transfer center under construction in Northeast El Paso.

The transfer center being developed at the former Northgate shopping center site, at 9347 Diana, is part of a unique transit oriented development. The transfer center will anchor a public-private development known as Metro 31, which is a mixed use venture that will integrate the new transfer center and the Dyer Brio rapid transit corridor station with residential, retail and commercial office spaces.

The deadline to submit a nomination to name the new transfer center is February 16, 2017.

In order to nominate an individual, a nomination form must be submitted to Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak along with 50 signatures of persons living within Sun Metro’s service area and a full biography of the individual.

Some of the nomination criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The name must not duplicate that of other transfer centers.

• If the proposed name is that of a deceased person, the individual must have been deceased for at least one year, shall have been prominent in El Paso or elsewhere, and demonstrated continued commitment, preferably to public transit, locally, nationally or internationally.

• If the proposed name is that of a living person, the individual must be extremely prominent in El Paso or elsewhere and have made a worthy and extraordinary contribution, preferably to public transit, locally, nationally or internationally.

Nomination forms and a complete list of criteria for the nomination process are available at Sun Metro’s administrative offices, 10151 Montana, or online at www.sunmetro.net

 

Sun Metro has scheduled two community meetings to share construction details for the Alameda Brio project.

The Alameda Brio will connect the Mission Valley to Central and Downtown El Paso.

The total length of this $38.3 million dollar project will be approximately 14.5 miles, and will offer El Pasoans many of the benefits of improved speed and reliability that much larger cities provide through light rail transit systems, but the BRIO has the added advantage of having a much lower implementation cost.

According to Sun Metro, station amenities will feature:

• Bus shelters (providing wind and sun protection)
• Installation of a raised platform (providing near-level boarding)
• Pre-paid automatic ticket vending
• Benches, leaning rails, bike racks and trash cans
• Sidewalk improvements
• Landscaping and pedestrian lighting

Construction will begin in early 2017 and should be completed in 2018. The new system will have various amenities to include: uniquely branded 60-foot articulated buses in mixed traffic; a frequency of 10 minutes (peak service) to 15 minutes (off-peak service); have less frequent stops; branded and landscaped stations with improved pedestrian amenities and signal prioritization (shorten red or lengthen green traffic signals).

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, Nov 16	5:30 p.m.	Jefferson High School (4700 Alameda Ave)
Thursday, Nov 17	6:00 p.m.	Ysleta High School (8600 Alameda Ave)

For more information about Sun Metro,  or call (915) 212-3333. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @SunMetro.

Beginning Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, Sun Metro will implement service modifications to the following routes: 16, 31, 40, 43, 52, 53, 66, 80, 90, 92 and 93.

The complete list of service modifications are:

ROUTE 16 UPPER VALLEY CIRCULATOR This route will experience a minor schedule change Monday through Sunday.

ROUTE 31 FT. BLISS VIA PLEASANTON This route will experience a minor schedule change on Saturdays.

ROUTE 40 NORTH HILLS VIA RUSHING Experiences minor route change on Roanoke Drive. No changes to the schedule.

ROUTE 43 MONTALVO PARK VIA DYER Route extension will be extended to now service the Quail/Railroad/Sun Valley area Monday through Sunday.

ROUTE 52 PEBBLE HILLS This route extension will service the neighborhoods past Zaragoza around Pebble Hills High School. The route will have a minor schedule change due to route extension Monday through Sunday.

ROUTE 53 MONTWOOD This route will experience a minor schedule change around Cielo Vista Mall Area Monday through Sunday.

ROUTE 66 NORTH LOOP This route will experience a minor schedule change Monday through Sunday.

ROUTE 80 NORTHEAST/MISSION VALLEY EXPRESS This route will now extend service to Cohen Avenue by EPCC Transmountain Campus. The schedule will have a minor change due to new routing Monday through Friday.

ROUTE 90 PARK N RIDE WESTSIDE TO EASTSIDE EXPRESS This route will now extend service to the Northgate terminal. The schedule will have a minor change due to the route extension Monday through Friday.

ROUTE 92 RESLER/LOMA DE CRISTOS CIRCULATOR This circulator will experience a minor schedule change Monday through Friday.

ROUTE 93 THUNDERBIRD CIRCULATOR This circulator will experience a minor schedule change Monday through Friday.

For more information about Sun Metro, visit sunmetro.net or call (915)212-3333. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sunmetro or follow us on Twitter @SunMetro.

A $12 million construction contact for the development of the Dyer Brio route was awarded Tuesday by City Council.

Jordan Foster Construction, LLC, will develop the 12 mile rapid transit bus system for the Dyer corridor. The Dyer Brio will have 18 stations and will extend from the Downtown Transfer Center to the Northgate Transfer Center.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2017.

The Dyer Brio is the third rapid transit system bus corridor for El Paso. The Mesa Brio is already operational, and construction on the Alameda Brio is expected to commence this winter.

Brio routes offer customers a high quality transit service with similar benefits to light rail transit, such as improved speed and reliability, but at a much lower implementation cost.

The Dyer Brio will use 60-foot articulated buses and branded landscaped stations that are about one mile apart, improved pedestrian amenities and signal prioritization.

Once complete, Sun Metro’s Northgate Transfer Center and parking garage will feature unique, transit-oriented development.

The transfer center will anchor a public-private development known as Metro 31, which is a mixed-use venture that will integrate the new transfer center and its Dyer Brio rapid transit corridor station with residential, retail and commercial office spaces.

Sun Metro is reactivating its express routes to connect students and passengers to El Paso Community College campuses, the University of Texas at El Paso and several transfer centers throughout the City.

The routes will start on August 22, 2016.  They are:

Route 80 Northeast/Mission Valley Express will provide express service from: El Paso Community College (EPCC) Trans Mountain campus; Northgate Transfer Center, 9347 Dyer; Eastside Transfer Center, 1165 Sunmount; EPCC Valle Verde campus; and Mission Valley Transfer Center, 9065 Alameda.

Route 70 University Express travels from the Eastside Transfer Center, 1165 Sunmount, to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and El Paso Community College (EPCC) Rio Grande campus.

Both routes will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters.  Route 70 will offer service every 30 minutes during peak hours (6-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) and every hour during non-peak hours. Route 80 will operate during peak hours ONLY (6-10 a.m. and 2-6 p.m.) and will offer service every hour.

With a valid student ID, UTEP and EPCC students can take advantage of Sun Metro’s reduced student fare ($1 per one-way trip). Students looking to save even more money and be environmentally conscious can purchase a weekly pass ($7) or a monthly pass ($30) that is good for an unlimited number of bus trips during the life of the pass.

Monthly passes may be purchased at the Eastside Transfer Center, Downtown Transfer Center, Five Points Transfer Center, Transit Operations Center, any of the city’s public libraries or by mail. Weekly passes may be purchased on any Sun Metro fixed-route bus traveling within the city limits.

Pre-paid passes can be used on any fixed-route bus except Route 83.

For more information about Sun Metro, visit sunmetro.net or call (915) 212-3333. Like us on Facebook atfacebook.com/sunmetro or follow us on Twitter @SunMetro.