Sun Metro Brio

Last updated

Sun Metro Brio logo.svg
Sun Metro Brio.jpg
A Brio bus at the downtown transit center
Overview
Operator Sun Metro
Vehicle New Flyer Xcelsior XN60
StatusOperational
Began serviceOctober 27, 2014 (2014-10-27)
Route
Route type Bus rapid transit
Locale El Paso
Length51.3 miles (82.6 km)
Stations98
Service
Frequency10–15 minutes
Weekend frequency20 minutes on Saturdays
25 minutes on Sundays
Route map

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Brio is a bus rapid transit system in El Paso, Texas, United States. It is operated by Sun Metro.

Contents

The first line, the Mesa Corridor, began operating in the fall of 2014. [1] This line is 8.6 miles (13.8 km) long and uses 22 purpose-built curbside stations with shelters, ticket vending machines for pre-boarding payment, and real-time arrival information. Two more corridors, Dyer (Northeast) and Alameda (Mission Valley) Corridors became operational in October 2018. The Montana Corridor, which serves the Eastside, opened on November 6, 2022. [2]

Description

Each Brio corridor contains at least two transfer centers, where passengers can transfer between Brio and local buses. Outside of transfer centers, stops consist of curbside shelters with the following amenities: [2]

The Brio fleet consists of 60-foot-long (18 m) branded New Flyer Xcelsior articulated buses powered by compressed natural gas, able to carry 72 total passengers and feature on-board WiFi, interior bike racks, and passenger information monitors. [3] Each bus also contains three doors to facilitate a quicker boarding process. [4]

The vehicles operate in mixed traffic. Signal prioritization is used to lengthen green traffic signals and reduce delays. The frequency of Brio buses range from 10 minutes during weekday rush hours to 15 minutes mid-day from Monday to Friday, 20 minutes on Saturdays and 25 minutes on Sundays. Stations are located about a mile apart. Passengers can buy a one-way trip, a day pass, a weekly pass or a monthly pass from the ticket vending machine located at all permanent Brio stations. To prevent fare evasion, Brio Ambassadors will be monitoring and requesting proof of payment during trips on Brio. [2]

Over 50,000 people use Brio every month, which has meant that approximately 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide was not emitted in the first year of its operation. Brio has also inspired new businesses; around 20 have been launched since Brio was launched as of 2016. [4]

Naming the system

Sun Metro hired PAVLOV, a marketing communications company, to develop the system name and logo. The word Brio is Spanish for excitement, verve and energy. [2]

The logo was designed to complement the circular nature of Sun Metro's current logo. The ‘b’ and ‘o’ in Brio are a graphic element that can be used to extend the identity of the RTS system. The movement within the logotype references the wheels on the vehicles. In addition to the name and logo, Sun Metro selected a color palette and graphic standards to make Brio stations and buses distinctive and easily recognizable.

Fares

Fares for Brio are the same as standard fare on other Sun Metro lines. [2] Currently, the standard fare is $1.50, $1.00 for students, and $0.30 for seniors 65+, disabled and Medicare. Sun Metro also offers daily, weekly, and monthly passes for each fare category. [5]

Lines

Mesa Corridor

Alameda Corridor

Dyer Corridor

Montana Corridor

2025 maintenance facility explosion

On February 11, 2025, bus 20602, a New Flyer Xcelsior CNG powered articulated bus, fell from a hydraulic lift, puncturing the fuel tank and exploding. [6] [7] 48 fire units and over 100 firefighters were dispatched to handle the fire. Two workers were killed, and 11 others were injured. The building sustained major damage, with parts of the roof and walls collapsed. [8] Four buses surrounding 20602 in the facility were also destroyed by the fire, and eight other buses sustained some damage. [6]

Sun Metro publicly released the surveilance camera footage of the explosion in October 2025. [9]

References

  1. Crowder, David (January 19, 2014). "Sun Metro Brio buses roll out in July". El Paso Inc. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Brio". Sun Metro.
  3. "Texas agency showcases new station, buses". Metro Magazine . May 27, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Schroeder, Margaret; Asce, M.; Roberts, Chris (August 16, 2016). "BRT Benefits in El Paso". Mass Transit. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  5. "Fares & Passes". Sun Metro. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Ornelas, Carlos. "El Paso Fire Marshall Case Narrative 25-011770" (PDF). KDBC-TV . Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2025. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
  7. Ibave, David. "Surveillance video shows deadly explosion at Sun Metro facility near El Paso Airport". KFOX. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  8. Martinez, Aaron. "Deadly Sun Metro fire videos show employees running from explosion, flames surround them". El Paso Times. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  9. Bly, Lauren (October 22, 2025). "New video obtained by ABC-7 shows Sun Metro explosion". KVIA. Retrieved November 8, 2025.