Approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Third Exercise of Option to Renew Agreement with the State of New Mexico, acting through the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), to provide bus service between El Paso and Las Cruces  in the amount of $41,399 for the term beginning September 1, 2019 and ending August 31, 2020. (Contract No. 2019-0597)

The County of El Paso received federal Intercity Bus (ICB) funds to provide access to the public transportation services to El Paso County residents who commute to and from El Paso and Las Cruces.  The service is the result of an innovative partnership between the County, the Texas Department of Transportation and the New Mexico Department of Transportation.  ICB funds pay ONLY for the service in El Paso County and into the City of El Paso.  The NMDOT pays for the service within New Mexico and up to the state line.

The service will continue to be managed by the NMDOT.  The NMDOT contracts with All Aboard America for 57-passenger coaches that are ADA accessible and restroom equipped.  The service operates in peak directions five days per week for a fare of $3 each way with monthly passes available for $90.  There is no service on weekends or holidays.  The service is meeting a need along this corridor and is a complement to other transportation services provided by the County’s Transit Program.

This agreement extends our partnership with the State of New Mexico to continue providing this mutually beneficial service through August 31, 2020, at the current service cost of $41,399.00/mth; this is the Third extension of the agreement of the four one-year options to extend.

Grant: $504,291. 

Account will be set up at the time the grant is awarded and approved by Commissioner's Court.

August 27, 2018 Item 17: ICB Grant award accepted by the County to continue the program

August 6, 2018 Item 3-I: County Judge approved the second option to extend the Intergovernmental Agreement between El Paso County and NMDOT

August 31, 2017 Item 3-I: County Judge approved first option to extend the Intergovernmental Agreement between the El Paso County and NMDOT

August 29, 2016 Item 17: ICB Grant award accepted by the County to continue the program

September 9, 2016 Item 3-N: Amendment to the original intergovernmental agreement approved

November 28, 2016 Item 3-G: County Judge approved and authorized the intergovernmental agreement between NMDOT and the County for the term beginning on 09/01/2016 through 08/31/2017

September 14, 2015 Item 22: Original Contract