El Paso County is about to try something big, and honestly, something pretty exciting. Starting December 22, 2025, riding El Paso County buses will be completely free, at least for a while.
According to KVIA, the El Paso County Commissioners Court approved a Zero-Fare Pilot Program that will run through September 30, 2026. During that time, riders will not have to pay a single dollar to use ETA Paseo, Access, or Andale bus services across the county.
This is not a small experiment. It is a clear statement about access, affordability, and how public transit fits into everyday life in El Paso.
What the Zero-Fare Pilot Program Actually Does
KVIA reports that the county approved $145,087 to fund the pilot program. Instead of charging riders, El Paso County is using money that had previously been set aside for fare collection equipment. In other words, the county is choosing to invest in people using the system rather than in the process of collecting fares…