Grants fund electric buses, charging station in Las Cruces

Grants totaling $3.6 million will allow the South Central Regional Transit to continue with its plans to modernize its fleet.

South Central Regional Transit operates in Doña Ana County, providing bus services supporting 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.

The Venus Bus Facility is meant to provide a location for transfers, maintenance and bus storage, according to a news release from South Central Regional Transit.

The funds will also support the placement of charging stations for five battery-electric buses the SCRT said would be delivered this winter and the purchase of one battery-hybrid bus.

The move to electric and hybrid vehicles aligns with efforts y Las Cruces and Doña Ana County officials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by regional transit systems.

Catch a ride: Learn more about routes here.

In an April 2024 Board of Directors meeting report, South Central Region Transit Executive Director David Armijo reported ridership by April had reached over 11,000 placing the ridership goal of 100,000 annually within reach.

Armijo also reported that operational costs had continued to increase alongside ridership.

He noted that services to East Mesa were especially difficult given the county lines, a problem the recent grants would help alleviate, according to the news release.