Portales and Clovis among those to receive state road spending on pilot program

SANTA FE (KSMX)- Transportation Secretary Mike Sandoval has authorized spending $1 million from the State Road Fund to create a pilot program in 2020 to expand transportation services to transit-dependent populations and isolated communities.

The goal of the single-year pilot program is to improve the quality of life for seniors, veterans, lower-income households and others isolated by geography or lack of accessible transportation. DOT will track the program’s accomplishments and then evaluate its performance at the end of the year-long run.

The New Mexico Transit Association asked DOT for funding.

“This is a program that could positively impact many lives, including people who rely on transit to access medical care, social services, and veteran services,” Sandoval said.

Approved projects include:

• $186,000 to buy a small bus with a lift and hire a full-time driver to transport seniors between Clovis and Portales for medical needs;
• $181,000 to create a Social Service Fare Program to provide discounted transit passes for the Rail Runner Express and Rio Metro’s bus services;
• $26,000 to transport Alamogordo students and residents in need of medical services to Las Cruces and back;
• $321,000 to buy a bus and fund operating costs to support Gallup public school students
• $64,000 for a service to take seniors and those with disabilities from the village of Dona Ana to medical appointments, hospitals and community centers.
• $110,000 to buy a vehicle and hire an operator to take people to opioid treatment centers from the communities of Chimayo, Cuartelez, El Valle de Arroyo Seco, Espanola, La Puebla, Santa Cruz and Sombrillo;