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

October 2, 2025

GOBUS

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its new GoBus Maintenance Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM. The celebration will take place at the new facility, located directly behind ETCOG’s headquarters at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, and the public is invited to attend.


This new $3.3 million facility, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation, represents a major step forward for the GoBus program. With two work bays, a dedicated wash bay, training rooms, and expanded fleet parking, the facility will serve as the home base for both GoBus administrative and maintenance teams.


“This facility allows us to take a more proactive approach to vehicle maintenance and safety,” said Vince Huerta, ETCOG Transportation Director. “Having the ability to complete repairs in-house means we can get vehicles back on the road faster and continue delivering safe, reliable transportation services.”


The GoBus program provides public transit service across ETCOG’s 14-county region. By investing in in-house maintenance, ETCOG will be able to improve efficiency, conduct more thorough inspections, and reduce repair turnaround times—all while keeping service reliable for East Texas riders.


Community members, partners, and stakeholders are encouraged to join ETCOG staff for the ribbon-cutting and facility tour. The event not only celebrates the opening of a new building but also marks an investment in the future of regional transit and the people who rely on it every day.


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Help Share GoBus Information with Your Residents

November 5, 2026
ETCOG is pleased to provide a GoBus Community Partner Media Kit for our member communities to use in local communications. The kit is designed to make it easy for cities, counties, libraries, schools, health care providers, community organizations, and other local partners to share clear, consistent GoBus information with residents. Partners may download the materials and incorporate them into their own websites, newsletters, social media channels, community calendars, public-information displays, and resident outreach. The media kit includes: GoBus overview and core messaging Contact, reservation, and website information Ready-to-use social media posts Website-ready copy County-specific service schedule information Information about who can ride, accessibility, fares, trip purposes, and how to reserve service Key service details for demand-response transportation, regional connections, veterans' transportation, ADA accessibility, and select local service options By sharing these resources, member communities can help ensure residents know that GoBus is available to the public and can provide transportation to medical appointments, employment, education and training, grocery stores, pharmacies, government offices, and other important destinations. Because service days, regional connections, and trip availability vary by county, communities are encouraged to share the county-specific schedule information included in the kit and direct residents to GoBus for reservations and current service details. Download the GoBus Community Partner Media Kit and help connect residents to transportation, opportunity, and essential services throughout East Texas. For questions about GoBus service or to schedule a ride, residents may visit GoBusTransit.com or call 903-215-8870.
Two people holding a large ceremonial check in front of a Texas Veterans Commission backdrop

ETCOG Receives $175,000 Grant to Continue Veterans Transportation Through GoBus

By GoBus • August 31, 2026
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has received a $175,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission to continue transportation services for veterans through its rural transit district, GoBus. The funding is part of more than $3.3 million in Texas Veterans Commission grants awarded this month to 13 veteran-service organizations across East Texas. Statewide, the commission awarded $40.8 million to organizations helping veterans and their families access critical services. For many veterans in rural East Texas, reliable transportation can be a barrier to medical appointments, employment, education, grocery stores, social service programs, and other essential destinations. The grant will help GoBus continue providing transportation options that support veterans’ independence and connection to the services they need.  “We are grateful to the Texas Veterans Commission for investing in transportation access for veterans in our region,” said ETCOG’s Transportation Director, Vince Huerta. “Through GoBus, we can help reduce the transportation barriers that too often stand between veterans and essential health care, employment opportunities and community resources. With this grant, we are proud to offer free trips for veterans and active service members, their spouses and dependents.” GoBus provides public transportation across East Texas, helping residents in rural communities travel safely and affordably where transportation options may otherwise be limited. Every single vehicle in our fleet is ADA compliant and ready to serve passengers with mobility challenges, disabilities, or special needs. The Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance supports organizations that provide direct assistance to veterans, their families and surviving spouses. Grant funding helps address service gaps in areas such as transportation, housing, financial assistance, legal services, and other supportive programs. Veterans who need transportation assistance are encouraged to contact GoBus to learn about available services, eligibility requirements, and how to schedule a trip. For more information about GoBus, visit www.gobustransit.com or call 903-215-8870.

GoBus Completes Fleet Replacement with New Vehicles in Service

By GoBus • April 30, 2026
ETCOG has completed a major fleet replacement for its GoBus rural transit system, with approximately $1.5 million in funding used to purchase and receive multiple new vehicles now ready to serve communities across East Texas. The funding was part of a broader initiative led by TxDOT in late 2024 to secure federal support for rural transit agencies across Texas. That effort brought in more than $26 million in federal funding statewide to address critical fleet replacement needs and help rural systems replace aging vehicles more quickly than would normally be possible. Under typical annual funding levels, most rural transit agencies are only able to replace one to two vehicles per year. This investment gave ETCOG the opportunity to replace several GoBus vehicles that had significantly exceeded their useful life, strengthening the system’s ability to provide safe, dependable transportation for the people who rely on it every day. The new vehicles will help improve safety, reliability, and service continuity for rural residents who depend on GoBus for essential trips such as medical appointments, work, shopping, and other daily needs. With the buses now received, ETCOG is better positioned to maintain consistent service and reduce the risk of disruptions caused by aging equipment. “This funding allows us to continue delivering on our mission of providing safe, reliable, and friendly transportation to the communities we serve,” said Vince Huerta, Director of Transportation. “It ensures we can maintain the level of service our riders depend on every day.” This fleet replacement reflects a meaningful investment in rural public transportation and in the East Texans who count on GoBus to stay connected to essential services and opportunities.

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