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Officials with the City of El Paso announced that they are receiving $40,781,532 in federal funding to help Sun Metro continue to provide services throughout the COVID pandemic.

“I am pleased to share that El Paso is the recipient of federal funding for Sun Metro,” Mayor Dee Margo said. “This multi-million dollar grant is critical to continuing transportation services to the community during the pandemic.”

Ellen Smyth, City of El Paso Managing Director for Sun Metro and the Environmental Services Department, said the funding will assist Sun Metro as it prepares to ramp up mobility by bringing back weekday and weekend routes on August 2, 2020.

The department had scaled back transit operations due to the pandemic.

Route schedules returning are available at www.SunMetro.net. Some of the operational changes related to Sun Metro’s recovery plan taking effect next month include:

• Reinstating fare rates and front-door boarding. (Fares have been waived since April 2020.)
• Keeping seat-closed signs on every other seat to promote social distancing.
• Requiring operators and passengers to wear face coverings, unless the individual is exempt under the local emergency ordinance.

City officials add that the federal grant is intended to support operating, administrative, and preventive maintenance costs in order to respond to and recover from the pandemic.

The grant award was announced by the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn. The funding was appropriated by Congress as part of the CARES Act.

Ahead of an expected return to full service on August 2nd, officials with Sun Metro are holding virtual meetings for the public to learn about the operations and guidelines.

“Sun Metro will bring back weekday and weekend schedules for fixed and Brio routes along with standard fare rates as part of its pandemic recovery plan,” transit officials shared via a news release.

Streetcar operations will remain suspended under this phase of the recovery plan.   Recovery plan route schedules will be available at www.SunMetro.net.

Service changes to fixed and Brio routes will include:

• Reinstating fare rates and front-door boarding on August 2, 2020.
• Keeping seat-closed signs on every other seat to promote social distancing.
• Installing Plexiglas shields on all buses to maintain a barrier between passengers and operators.
• Continuing extra cleaning efforts to keep buses clean and sanitized.
• Requiring all passengers to sit while riding. Riding standing up will not be allowed to promote social distancing. Buses that reach passenger seating capacity will be assisted along the routes by buses on standby.

The standard bus fare is $1.50 per ticket. Discounts available for seniors, military and students. Children 5 and younger ride for free.

Passengers and the community are invited to learn about Sun Metro’s recovery plan by participating in two virtual public meetings scheduled for:

July 15, 2020 at 11 a.m. at:

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

(915) 213-4096 United States, El Paso (Toll)

(833) 664-9267 United States (Toll-free)

Conference ID: 868 582 348#

July 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. at:

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

(915) 213-4096 United States, El Paso (Toll)

(833) 664-9267 United States (Toll-free)

Conference ID: 256 817 904#

On Friday, officials with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $28.22 million grant award for the City of El Paso’s Montana Rapid Transit System Corridor Project.

“I am so pleased to share that El Paso is the recipient of a major federal funding award,” Mayor Dee Margo said. “This multi-million dollar FTA grant will help us further modernize our region’s public transit system by helping to pay for the development of a Bus Rapid Transit system that connects the far East Side to downtown.”

The project, better known as the Montana Brio, will build a 16.8-mile bus rapid transit line that will run primarily on Montana Avenue. It will also provide convenient access to many other destinations including the El Paso Airport, the Five Points neighborhood, and the future Far East Side Transfer Center.

The total project cost is $49.2 million, and it is funded through a combination of federal, state and city funds.

Expanding Sun Metro’s Brio service to four corridors with the addition of the Montana Brio is an essential part of the City’s Strategic Plan to enhance its comprehensive transportation system.

The Dyer and Alameda Brio services became operational last year, and the Mesa Brio in 2014.

“These funds will be used to expand the El Paso transit system and better connect El Pasoans from all corners of the city,” U.S. Senator John Cornyn said. “Quality transportation services are vital for boosting local economic growth, and I commend the Trump Administration, Mayor Dee Margo, and other leaders in El Paso who worked to secure this funding.”

This major investment in public transit will allow residents and visitors to experience an improved transit service that is faster and more reliable, similar to those offered in larger cities with light rail transit systems.

Features of the Montana Brio include:

–       A stand-alone El Paso International Airport station

–       Branded buses and shelters

–       Pre-paid automatic ticket vending machines

–       Sidewalk improvements with landscaping and pedestrian lighting

–       Benches, leaning rails and bike racks

The federal grant was made possible through the FTA’s 2016 Section 5309 Capital Investment Grant Small Starts fund.

Click here for more information about Sun Metro’s Brio.

Fans planning to attend the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Game on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 can avoid the stress of traffic and parking by riding Sun Metro and El Paso Streetcar.

Sun Metro buses will operate direct routes from various locations around town. The routes will run from Downtown, East Side, West Side, Northeast, Mission Valley, and the El Paso Airport.

The drop-off site will be located near the Glory Road Transit Center, located on the north end of the Sun Bowl Stadium.

Return trips will begin at the end of the third quarter. Fans will be picked up at the same location as the drop-off site for each of the routes. All location schedules and hours are listed on the website.

The El Paso Streetcar will service all 27 stops along the uptown and downtown loops with a drop off location at the Glory Road Transit Center, also on the north end of the Sun Bowl Stadium.

Service hours and pick-up/drop-off locations can be found on the streetcar’s website.

The Streetcar is free to ride during this time.

The game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Arizona State Sun Devils will begin at 12:00 p.m.

PASSENGERS ARE REMINDED TO HAVE EXACT CHANGE FOR THE FAREBOX. While the farebox can issue change cards for use on Sun Metro services, drivers do not have access to currency.

Schedules and fares will vary depending on location.

IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER:

• Route services may be delayed before and after the game due to traffic congestion
• NO FOOD or DRINKS allowed on the buses and streetcars
• NO COOLERS or UMBRELLAS allowed in the Sun Bowl
• NO RE-ENTRY to the stadium after kickoff

SUN METRO BUS SERVICE AND PARK+RIDE LOCATIONS

DOWNTOWN

Location: Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 West San Antonio Avenue

Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon

Frequency: Every 25 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round-trip bus fare*
Parking: $10 per vehicle

 

Location: El Paso Convention Center, across from the Camino Real Hotel

Time: 9:00 a.m. – noon

Frequency: Every 25 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: $10 per vehicle

 

EASTSIDE

Location: Eastside Transit Center, 1165 Sunmount Drive – near Cielo Vista Mall

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Frequency: Every 30 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round-trip bus fare*
Parking: Free

 

Location: Edgemere Blvd. near R.C. Poe Rd. – One block west of Rich Beem Blvd.

Time: 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Cost: $3 round-trip bus fare*
Parking: Free

NORTHEAST

Location: Northgate Transit Center, 9348 Dyer

Time: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: Free

 

MISSION VALLEY

Location: Mission Valley Transit Center, 9065 Alameda Avenue

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: Free

 

WESTSIDE

Location: Westside Transit Center, 7535 Remcon Circle

Time: 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

Cost: $3 round trip fare*
Parking: Free

AIRPORT AREA

Location: Designated areas outside the following hotels:

Best Western Plus, Comfort Inn & Suites, Courtyard, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hawthorn Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Homewood Suites, Hyatt Place, La Quinta Inn, Marriott, Microtel Inn, Radisson, Residence Inn, Staybridge Suites and Wyndham.

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Frequency: Every 35 minutes until game time

Cost: $3 round trip fare*

STREETCAR SERVICE AND PARK+RIDE LOCATIONS

DOWNTOWN

Location: Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 West San Antonio Avenue

Service Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Frequency: Figure-Eight Loop 25-30 minutes/ Downtown Loop 10-15 minutes

Cost: $1.50 per trip or $3.50 all-day pass*
Parking: $10 per vehicle

 

Location: El Paso Convention Center, across from the Camino Real Hotel

Service Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Frequency: Figure-Eight Loop 25-30 minutes/ Downtown Loop 10-15 minutes

Cost: $1.50 per trip or $3.50 all-day pass*
Parking: $10 per vehicle

*Exact change required. Times and frequencies may vary depending on traffic and demand.

Sun Metro officials are reminding the community that starting Sunday, September 22, 2019, there will be schedule adjustments to existing routes.

“Two new Brio Systems – Alameda and Dyer – will improve the overall public transit system by providing faster and more effective transportation options that span from the Northeast and Mission Valley to downtown,” Sun Metro officials shared via a news release.

Both Brio Systems will begin on Monday, September 23, 2019.

Alameda and Dyer will be the second and third corridor systems to be activated. Mesa Brio launched in 2014.

“Brio provides riders with improved speed and reliability through traffic signal prioritization for its buses, and offers upgraded amenities such as free WiFi, enhanced pedestrian pathways and lighting, and new branded and landscaped stations,” Sun Metro officials added.

To boost community awareness about the changes Sun Metro will have information booths at all transit centers.

• September 21, 22, 28, 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all Sun Metro Transit Center to reach weekend customers

• September 23–27 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Downtown Transit Center & Eastside Transit Center to reinforce schedule changes.

 

Service Improvements: 

The impacted routes are Routes 3, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 55, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 71, 72, 73, 74, Alameda Brio, and Dyer Brio.

For passengers needing special assistance during this transitional period, call (915) 212-3333 and arrangements for alternate transportation and scheduling will be provided.

The complete list along with the route maps are also available online at sunmetro.net.

Route 3 (Downtown / Ysleta Express) will be active Monday-Friday for peak service only (6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.). It will no longer run on Saturdays.

 

Route 7 (Northeast / Mission Valley) will experience a route and schedule change Monday – Sunday with service added to the Stahala/Rutherford area.

Route 10 (Sunset Heights / UTEP) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 11 (Mesita via Kern Place) Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 13 (Coronado Hills Circulator) will run less frequently midday on weekdays. Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 14 (Westwind) bay change to Bay I at the Downtown Transit Center.

Route 15 (Mesa) will run less frequently midday on weekdays. A morning trip will be added on Saturdays. Bay changes to Bay J at the Downtown Transit Center.

Route 16 (Upper Valley Circulator) will add an inbound trip on Saturdays from the Westside Transfer Center to the Downtown Transit Center. Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 17 (Three Hills NW EPCC / Outlet Shoppes) will experience a minor schedule change adding a trip from Downtown Transit Center to Westside Transit Center on weekdays. Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 19 (Resler Circulator) route and schedule adjustments to now service the Providence Hospital Transmountain Campus, ADP and West Towne Market. Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 20 (Sunland Park Circulator) Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 21 (Chelmont via Raynolds) route and schedule will change to start at UMC and servicing Bassett Place.

Route 22 (Chelmont via Chelsea) the route and schedule will change to start at UMC and servicing Bassett Place.

Route 24 (Delta via Second Ward) Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 25 (University Medical Center) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 30 (Fort Bliss via Pleasonton) Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 32 (Logan Heights via Piedras) Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 33 (Government Hill via Bassett Place) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays and will now service the Bay E at the Downtown Transit Center. Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 34 (Medical Center via Cliff) will run less frequently during midday for weekday service.

Route 35 (Northgate via Dyer) will experience a minor schedule change Monday – Saturday.

 

Route 36 (Beaumont via Highland) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays. Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 40 (North Hills via Rushing) Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 41 (Northgate via Piedras) will run less frequently during midday weekdays and Saturdays.

Route 42 (Northeast Connector) will be active Monday-Friday for peak service only (6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.) and will no longer run on weekends.

Route 43 (Montalvo Park via Dyer) the route and schedule will be adjusted to service the park on Copper Town when servicing the Mesquite Hills area. Sunday service will be deactivated.

Route 44 (Sean Haggerty via McCombs) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays.

 

Route 45 (Trans Mountain / EPCC Circulator) route will be deactivated.

Route 46 (Northeast Circulator / Rushing) will experience a route change to now service the Wellington Chew Senior Center Monday – Friday only.

Route 51 (Eastside Terminal / Edgemere) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays.

 

Route 52 (Eastside Terminal / Pebble Hills) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 53 (Eastside Terminal / Montwood) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays.

 

Route 55 (Eastside Terminal) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays and will service Bay B at the Downtown Transit Center. Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 58 (Montana / Turner) Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 60 (Zaragoza Bridge Circulator) Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 61 (Ysleta via Alameda) will experience a minor schedule change on weekdays and Saturdays.

 

Route 62 (Pasodale via Lakeside) will experience a route and schedule change with service starting from San Antonio (Toltec) Station. This route will no longer service Downtown Transit Center.

 

Route 63 (Loma Terrace via Zaragoza) will run less frequently during midday on weekdays and Saturdays.

 

Route 66 (Lancaster via North Loop) will runs less frequently during midday on weekdays.

 

Route 71 (Trawood) Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 72 (Vista Del Sol) Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 73 (Pellicano) will experience a minor schedule change Monday – Saturday. Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Route 74 (Rojas) will experience a minor schedule change Monday – Saturday. Sunday service will be deactivated.

 

Alameda Brio will service the Alameda corridor Monday – Saturday.

 

Dyer Brio will service the Dyer corridor Monday – Saturday.

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

Sun Metro will soon introduce two new Brio Systems – Alameda and Dyer – to improve the overall public transit system by providing faster and more effective transportation options that span from the Northeast and Mission Valley to downtown.

To boost community awareness about the changes Sun Metro will have information booths at all transit centers and will host two community meetings.

Alameda and Dyer will be the second and third corridor systems to be activated. Mesa Brio launched in 2014. Brio provides riders with improved speed and reliability through traffic signal prioritization for its buses, and offers upgraded amenities such as free WiFi, enhanced pedestrian pathways and lighting, and new branded and landscaped stations.

Sun Metro will implement schedule adjustments to existing routes to improve efficiencies and minimize the duplication of services as a result of the new Brio services.

The schedule adjustments and service improvements will become effective Sunday, September 22, 2019.  The complete list along with the route maps are also available online at sunmetro.net.

The public is invited to learn more about Brio and other service improvements by attending one of the following events:

Information Booth Dates:

• September 16-20 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at all Sun Metro Transit Centers to reach weekday riders
• September 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all Sun Metro Transit Center to reach weekend customers
• September 23–27 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Downtown Transit Center & Eastside Transit Center to reinforce schedule changes

Community Meeting Dates:

• September 17 at 6 p.m. at the Northgate Transit Center, 9347 Diana Drive
• September 18 at 6 p.m. at the Mission Valley Transit Center, 9065 Dyer

Service Improvements:

The impacted routes are Routes 3, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 55, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 71, 72, 73, 74, Alameda Brio, and Dyer Brio.

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

As part of the El Paso Public Library Summer Reading Program, the library invites children and their parents to a “Streetcar Read Along” on the El Paso Streetcar.

“Summer reading is an important way for kids to keep their minds active while they are out of school, and this is a fun way to encourage even the youngest of kids to spend their summer with a book,” said Museums and Cultural Affairs, Libraries and Tourism Managing Director Tracey Jerome. “The Streetcar Read Along is also a great way to introduce families to the streetcar as a good option to enjoy downtown events.”

The unique event begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 at the Main Library Downtown, 501 Oregon.

Storytellers from the children’s section, along with the library mascot Odin the Wolf, will read several books to children on the streetcar during its route throughout Downtown, Segundo Barrio and Uptown.

Since seating is limited, parents are asked to arrive at the Main Library at 10:30 a.m. where they will receive a free ticket to board the streetcar. The libraries primary mascot, Lea, will lead the group to the streetcar stop on El Paso and Franklin (across from Cleveland Square Park). Children must have an accompanying parent or guardian to ride the streetcar.

As part of the event, children and parents are encouraged dress as their favorite space or superhero character.

In addition, children who participate in the Summer Reading Program can also sign up for the Kids on the Go Summer Youth Sun Metro pass that provides free bus and streetcar rides for youth throughout the summer.

More information on Streetcar Read Along or the Summer Reading Program can be found on the El Paso Public Library website or by calling (915) 212-0365.

For the fifth consecutive year, Sun Metro is teaming up with non-profit organizations to provide youth with free transportation during the summer months.

The Kids on the Go! Summer Youth Transportation program will offer the free bus rides to qualifying youths from June 1 through August 31, 2019 through qualifying nonprofit organizations that provide summer programs for local children.

“Over the years with an increase in participation, Sun Metro provides transit for the youth of our community allowing them to stay active and busy with out-of-school time activities this summer,” said Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak.

Together with United Way of El Paso County, and agencies participating in this initiative the program helps kids find constructive and educational ways to spend their time.

“Our United Way works to ensure that children have access to quality out-of-school time programs that support year-round learning, but we recognize that not all children in our community have the means to get to a summer program,” said United Way President & CEO Deborah Zuloaga. “By partnering with Sun Metro, we’re able to break transportation barriers and connect agencies and children to this helpful resource.”

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 Sun Metro’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, visit their website, Facebook page, on Twitter @SunMetro, or call (915) 212-3333.

On Friday, Sun Metro officials announced they will offer complimentary bus rides to the polls on Election Day.

Passengers who show a valid form of voter identification can ride Sun Metro and Lift services on Tuesday, November 6 free, all day.

Sun Metro officials say that offering free rides “increases access to poll locations and allows citizens the opportunity to cast their votes during the midterm elections.”

Registered Lift Paratransit customers must schedule their trip in accordance with Sun Metro & Lift policies and procedures.

Any form of voter identification should be presented upon boarding. Valid forms include:

• Texas Driver’s license
• Texas Election ID Certificate
• Texas Handgun License
• U.S. Citizenship certificate with photo
• U.S. Military ID
• U.S. Passport
• A government document with name and address of the voter

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

Sun Metro invites the community to two meetings scheduled to inform the public about proposed changes to the downtown circulators once Streetcar revenue service begins.

As the El Paso Streetcar prepares for revenue service, changes are necessary for Route 4 and Route 9.

The below proposed changes will be presented to City Council for approval this fall:

• Route 4 known as the Union Plaza Circulator may change to Sun Metro’s full fare structure.
• Route 9 known as the Downtown Shopping District Circulator may be deactivated.

The El Paso Streetcar will provide more trips and extended service hours on the weekends. All current discounts will apply to children, students, seniors, and military.

The meetings will take place on:

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, October 24	5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.	El Paso Main Library (501 N Oregon Street)
Thursday, October 25	6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	La Fe Child and Adolescent Wellness Center – 2nd Floor (721 S Ochoa Street)

 

Starting next week, Sun Metro has scheduled three community meetings to raise awareness about Streetcar Safety.

The El Paso Streetcar project is in its testing and training phase. To ensure the system can operate safely for the public, Sun Metro encourages the public to obey traffic laws and cross safely at designated locations when driving, cycling or walking near the 4.8 mile streetcar route.

The route runs in two loops known as Downtown and Uptown. The Downtown Loop includes Santa Fe Street, Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue. The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.

Sun Metro officials share the following tips to remember when approaching a Streetcar:

Pedestrians

• Look both ways and listen for the streetcar before you step into the crosswalk. Streetcars run on electricity and are extremely quiet when approaching a station.
• Remove headphones or reduce volume so you can hear streetcar warning bells and horns. Streetcars will provide warning sounds before coming to a stop.
• There are new signals all along the streetcar route. Cross only at a crosswalk when the walk signal is on.
• Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it’s in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops. Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it’s in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops.

Motorists

• Pass the streetcar with caution. Never block the tracks while parking or changing lanes.
• Never cut in front of a moving streetcar. Do not attempt a right-hand turn in front of a streetcar. Get behind the streetcar to make any right-hand turns.
• Park only at designated spaces along the streetcar route. Never block the tracks. Cars will be towed.
• Pay attention to new signs, striping & signals all along the streetcar route.

Cyclists

• Avoid riding near streetcar tracks when possible. Track grooves are slightly wider than the typical bike tire, so it’s easy for tires to become caught between the rails. Always cross rails at a 90 degree angle.
• Tracks can be slippery, especially when wet. Try to avoid any wet areas along the route when crossing the tracks.
• Stanton Street (btwn Baltimore & Rio Grande) is now a 2-way bikeway. All cyclist can ride north and south on the same side of the street.
• Never grab the back of a streetcar to be pulled along on your bike.

The meetings will take place:

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Tuesday, August 21	6:00 p.m.	La Fe Culture and Technology Center – rear building (721 S Ochoa Street)
Wednesday, August 22	5:30 p.m.	El Paso Main Library (501 N Oregon Street)
Thursday, August 23	6:00 p.m.	Cathedral High School Auditorium (1309 N Stanton Street)

For more information and videos about El Paso Streetcar safety, visit the website, call (915) 212-3333, like the Facebook page or follow Sun Metro on Twitter @SunMetro.

 

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.