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Las Cruces-Area County Bus Service Ridership Up 61%

Las Cruces, New Mexico-The South Central Regional Transit District (SCRTD) has completed its second year of operation with a 61% increase in ridership providing 30,333 trips up from the 18,846 trips provided in 2017. Improving connections between the agency’s four fixed routes and matching levels of service to demand enabled the agency to lure new riders to its buses that serve Dona Ana, El Paso and Otero Counties.

Chairman of the SCRTD Board of Directors, Javier Perea said, “The increase was a result of our relentless efforts to raise the public’s awareness of our bus services. Our outreach efforts have been successful in luring new riders to our buses because we have a better understanding of the needs of the communities we serve. While we are increasing ridership, we have not forgotten our need to increase productivity and control costs.”

Connections between SCRTD’s four fixed routes were improved because of a service planning effort undertaken by the agency in 2017 that improved service scheduling ensuring better connections with Road Runner Commuter Rail Service, New Mexico DOT’s Gold Route Zia Trans, El Paso’s Sun Metro, Sunland Park and El Paso County services.

SCRTD route and schedule information is available online at scrtd.org or by calling 575-323-1620.

About SCRTD-The South Central Regional Transit District was formed in 2006 due to passage of the Regional Transit District Act of 2003. The agency’s services are funded from a membership fees, an annual membership agreement with Dona Ana County and grants from the State of New Mexico, the United States Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration and rider fares.  The members of the SCRTD are Dona Ana County and the municipalities of Las Cruces, Hatch, Mesilla, Sunland Park, Elephant Butte, Truth or Consequences, Williamsburg and Anthony. The mission of SCRTD is to develop and operate coordinated transit services for the residents of its member municipalities and county.