City of Socorro to join El Paso Transit Authority, continues free microtransit service

SOCORRO, Texas (KVIA) -- The City of Socorro agreed to rejoin the El Paso Transit Authority (ETA). Starting Oct. 1, Socorro will operate and maintain its ¡ávanzando! microtransit services, El Paso County said.

On July 29, the ETA Board of Directors authorized the proposal to operate and maintain the ¡ávanzando! services. The Socorro City Council accepted and agreed to join the ETA Aug. 6.

The transit service will expand to connect Socorro, San Elizario and Clint, the county said. Passengers can ride for free and use ETA amenities such as bike racks, Wi-Fi, and the ETA app.

Through the subcontractor Transdev, ETA will operate ¡ávanzando! seven days a week. From Monday-Friday, the service will run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday-Sunday, it will run between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., the county said.

The county said Socorro will contribute $5,165 for regional transit access and $253,000 for the operation and maintenance of ¡ávanzando!

Socorro will assign two vehicles to ETA for operation and maintenance. The county said ETA will provide administrative support and assist with planning for future bus shelters and anchor stations.

"In the past year, Socorro ¡ávanzando! carried 6,896 passenger trips which shows that transit is
catching on in Socorro and we look forward to ETA taking our microtransit service to the next level,"
stated Alejandra Valadez, the City’s Development Director and ETA Board Member.

In 2025, El Paso County commissioners voted to end transit service within Socorro on ETA's recommendation. The City of Socorro completed its ¡ávanzando! replacement plan July 2025.