ETCOG Director Vince Huerta Elected President of the Texas Transit Association Board

October 7, 2022

GOBUS

The East Texas Council of Governments is pleased to announce its Director of Transportation, Vince Huerta, has been elected the Board President of the Texas Transit Association (TTA).


"I am elated to serve as the new President of TTA for my first term," said Huerta. "I am eager to begin working with our rural, small urban, and large urban transit providers to create new and updated benefits for our membership, potential recruits, and constituents. As a seasoned transit manager and longtime member of TTA, I believe I can provide a fresh perspective on how our organization engages with its members. Together we will be able to expand our network and provide the representation Texas Transit deserves." 


TTA’s purpose is to educate the people of Texas about issues affecting the public transit industry within the state. Additionally, TTA actively supports public transportation in the State of Texas and works with members of the state legislature in the pursuit of additional resources to support public transportation.


Huerta has been a part of the public transportation industry for over 20 years and has extensive urban, small urban, and rural Texas transit experience. He actively serves on the TTA Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as well as the Southwest Transit Association Board of Directors. Huerta received the TTA's Outstanding Public Transportation Manager of the Year in 2020.

 

Huerta joined ETCOG in May of 2018 and has continued to find ways to grow and support East Texas transportation. Notable accomplishments during his tenure include a 40% increase in ridership since 2018, drastically increased safety protocols, bringing in a customized fleet, and further building procedural and monetary efficiencies.

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Join Us for a Grand Opening Ceremony for our New GoBus Maintenance Facility!

By GoBus • October 2, 2025
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GoBus Pilot Programs Deliver Strong Results Across East Texas

By GoBus • September 3, 2025
The GoBus Service Expansion Pilot Programs are proving to be a major success, helping connect more people to the places they need to go. Launched earlier this year, GoBus added additional routes in several counties and the new GoNOW microtransit service in Palestine, which has already boosted ridership and expanded travel options for residents across the region. ETCOG's Transportation Director, Vince Huerta, shared that the frequency of service from rural areas into nearby cities has increased by an average of 75 percent in the participating counties. In Palestine, the GoNOW microtransit service has grown ridership by 22 percent within its first few months. “These are just a few of the measurable ways Service Expansion funds are directly benefiting our communities,” Huerta said. “Transportation isn’t just about mobility. It’s a lifeline for people to maintain independence, access medical care, secure jobs, and stay connected.” The pilot programs have made immediate impacts in Henderson, Anderson, Cherokee, Camp, Upshur, Harrison, Marion, and Van Zandt counties. Residents now have new or expanded routes into larger cities such as Tyler and Longview, more frequent connections, and local microtransit options. Community surveys and rider requests pointed to a need for more reliable connections to jobs, healthcare, and essential services. The Service Expansion Program is helping close those gaps and strengthen the entire 14-county region. Huerta also recognized the support of TxDOT staff in making the pilot projects a reality. “Our TxDOT Public Transportation Coordinator, Nancy Hoehn, has been an essential part of making these programs successful, and we are grateful for her ongoing commitment and support,” he said. GoBus will continue to monitor ridership, gather community feedback, and review performance to determine next steps. For more information about routes, schedules, and GoBus services, visit www.gobustransit.com or call 903-218-6450 .

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