Project Profile
Long-Range Transit Plan
Project Summary: Sun Metro contracted with TGC to create a 30-year master plan to guide transit planning for the City of El Paso.
Project Highlights
The TGC team researched growth in population and jobs, and their distribution across the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) region as a starting point for its capital and staffing improvement recommendations. For example, the TGC team researched the utilization rate of transit facilities, route performance, and short- and long-term maintenance requirements in order to make capital investment recommendations. The TGC team’s researched also resulted in staffing needs across five categories: administration, LIFT, drivers, supervisors/operations, and maintenance.
Study Objectives
Transition Routing to a Network System: TGC continued to guide the transition from long local routes with frequent stops to a series of feeder and express routes that connect to park and rides, transit terminals, and activity centers. To accomplish this goal, TGC led the planning, secured the funding, and guided the implementation of ten suburban transit terminals and recommended a program of five park and ride lots.
Develop a vehicle replacement program including required fleet expansion and costs: TGC researched fixed route and demand service vehicle needs and created a vehicle replacement schedule and capital budget for Sun Metro’s current 122 fixed route and 44 demand response vehicle fleets. The plan provides for additional vehicle needs into 2030. Policy recommendations for improved LIFT service were also made.
Anticipate short-term and long-term maintenance and facility requirements and costs: TGC measured the capital needs for maintenance upgrades through 2030. Projects that TGC spearheaded that contribute to Sun Metro’s maintenance capabilities include a new LIFT maintenance facility and a Union Plaza Depot facility renovation to expand service bays; purchase new equipment; and revise access and storage.
Develop high capacity corridors and international transit link: TGC outlined the capital requirements for a BRT-to-LRT fixed guideway system that starts at the border and extends to the Oregon Street Mall. This BRT/LRT system radiates outward from this downtown hub to reach other parts of El Paso and to interface with an international transit link.
Improve air quality by reducing auto use: TGC recommended investment in park and ride lots, HOV lanes, preemption, diamond lanes, and pull-outs to improve transit’s market share. By increasing access to transit and reducing transit travel times, SOVs are reduced and air quality is improved.
Redevelop, maintain, and enhance transit/pedestrian use of El Paso’s Great Streets: TGC has spearheaded the planning of transit improvements for five key corridors. TGC’s $50 million program recommends sidewalk improvement, pedestrian level lighting, landscaping, benches, shelters in addition to signal preemption for transit and emergency vehicles, exclusive transit lanes, and pull-outs.