Grants fund electric buses and charging stations in Las Cruces

Thanks to grants totaling $3.6 million, South Central Regional Transit can move forward with plans to modernize its fleet.

South Central Regional Transit operates in Doña Ana County and provides bus service to Las Cruces, Hatch, Mesilla, Sunland Park and Elephant Butte.

A $2.8 million grant will fund the Venus Bus Facility and charging stations. A second grant of just over $900,000 — matched by New Mexico Matching Funds — was also awarded.

According to a press release from South Central Regional Transit, the Venus Bus Facility is intended to serve as a location for bus transfers, maintenance and storage.

More: RoadRUNNER, the city bus service, will abolish charges in a trial period

The funds will also finance the installation of charging stations for five battery-electric buses, which the SCRT says will be delivered this winter, and the purchase of one battery-hybrid bus.

The transition to electric and hybrid vehicles aligns with efforts by Las Cruces and Doña Ana County authorities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from regional public transportation systems.

Ride along: More information about routes can be found here.

In the April 2024 board report, South Central Region Transit Executive Director David Armijo reported that ridership reached 11,000 in April, putting the goal of 100,000 riders per year within reach.

Armijo also reported that operating costs continued to rise, as did passenger numbers.

He noted that providing service to East Mesa was particularly difficult because of the county’s borders. The recent grants would help address that problem, the release said.