El Paso Mass Transit Board Meeting on June 23, 2026
El Paso Mass Transit Board Meeting - June 23, 2026
The El Paso Mass Transit Department Board met twice on June 23, 2026: initially at 11:30 AM and reconvened at 4:32 PM. The board considered an intergovernmental support agreement (IGSA) with Fort Bliss for a free microtransit service (Torch Transit) and a contract termination resolution. Both items were approved unanimously. No public comments were presented.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda included the approval of meeting minutes and resolutions for items 3 and 4. Item 4 was moved to the regular agenda to allow Fort Bliss garrison commander Colonel Mike Soika to speak. Item 3 was initially tabled pending information from items 4 and 5 (which were addressed in the regular council meeting) but later taken up after reconvening. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public offered comments.
Discussion Items
- Item 4 – IGSA with Fort Bliss for Microtransit Service
- Anthony (Sun Metro) presented the first-ever Department of War partnership using an IGSA for microtransit, named Torch Transit. The service will be free to soldiers and dependents at zero cost to city taxpayers, funded by the Army. It will operate 84 hours per week with a capacity of 60 trips per day, expandable based on demand. The service is curb-to-curb on Fort Bliss and connects to Sun Metro’s fixed-route system at three locations (Dyer, Freedom Crossing, William Beaumont). It will add about 25 staff positions. Colonel Soika emphasized the financial burden on soldiers (spending $300–500/month on transportation) and the quality of life improvement. Board members expressed strong support, noting the success of a similar microtransit launch in District 5. The item was approved unanimously.
- Item 3 – Termination of Contract with Trans America Protection Corporation
- This resolution terminates contract 2023-0188 for armored car services due to the contractor’s failure to comply with provisions and recommends disqualification from city contracts for three years. Board members asked clarifying questions about mishandling of funds; the Assistant City Attorney advised tabling this item until after discussion of items 4 and 5 in executive session (though it was later debated in open session). After reconvening at 4:32 PM, the board approved the resolution unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Item 4: Motion by board member Limon, seconded by Chavez – approved unanimously.
- Vote on Item 3: After being tabled earlier, motion by board member Canales, seconded by Limon – approved unanimously upon reconvening.
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (excluding tabled items).
- Next Steps: Sun Metro will begin a six-month mobilization period for Torch Transit, including vehicle purchases and app development. The contract termination with Trans America Protection Corporation takes effect June 23, 2026, with a three-year debarment.
Meeting Transcript
Anyone opposed? And the council meeting is in recess at 11 30 a.m. to conduct the mass transit department board meeting. Good morning. This is a meeting of the El Paso Mass Transit Department Board for Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026. It is now 11 30 a.m. Present and presiding is board chair Johnson also present in the chambers. Our board members Chavez Acevedo Maldonado Rocha Boyartrejo Nino Fierro Limon and Canales. Mr. Chair, there is no public comment. Okay. So all matters listed under the consent agenda will be considered by Mass Transit Department Board to be routine and will be enacted by one motion and that separate discussion is requested by board members. Prior to the vote, members of the audience may ask questions regarding items on the consent agenda when the vote has been taken. If an item has not been called out for separate discussion, the item has been approved. The Mass Transit Department Board may, however, we consider any item at any time during the meeting. And we do have all items on the consent agenda, the minutes, and the resolutions for item three and four. Okay. There's a motion and second, okay. Represent Canales. Thank you, Mayor. I'd ask if we can move item number four to the regular agenda. I understand uh four post garrison commander Colonel Soika is here and would like to speak on the item, so we can give them the opportunity. Sure. Is uh all those in favor to move item number four to the regular agenda? Aye. And the item will be moved to four, but if we can get a vote to vote on the consent agenda. We can do that. There's a motion and second on the consent. Uh representative Chavez. Thank you, Mayor. Um item number three on the consent agenda is related to items number four and five on our um agenda. And those are the ones that I have questions on. So I don't, I'm happy to vote on it, but I do have several questions regarding the termination of this contract that I would like uh our legal department and others to answer. That is on a separate meeting, yes, I have so you would have to ask your question regarding item three at this time. Yeah, it they're all related, but I'll just wait till we get back to our other agenda then. But they are all related because it's the same company. You just won't be able to uh refer to this specific item when we go into executive for the other item since it's a separate meeting. Can I get clarity on the termination of this contract? Then for Trans America in this item specifically is just for Sun Metro. Is that correct? Okay, and the ones I'm assuming on our other agenda are for other departments. Separate from Sun Metro. Okay, purchase department, yes, ma'am. Thank you. Okay, then let me ask specifically on this termination of this contract specifically for Sun Metro. Were was any money mishandled by this company specifically related to Sun Metro? For this contract, there was none for Sun Metro. Okay. There was no no mishandling of any funds for this contract specifically. Representative, if I may address uh Joyce Garcia, Assistant City Attorney.
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