Ismael B. Segovia began his career in transit planning in 2008, during the redevelopment period of Sun Metro. Initially coming from a background in urban planning, he was able to quickly apply his knowledge of this in the transit industry.
Since his arrival at Sun Metro, Segovia has been in many frontline projects and was instrumental in the development of long-range plans for the system. During the first year Ismael joined Sun Metro, the city of El Paso began changing its course to becoming a friendlier environment toward alternative modes of transportation, thus requiring both the public and private sectors to experience a paradigm shift in their process.
Segovia, with his background of smart growth principles from his time working with the city of San Antonio as an urban planner, began to work with his colleagues in identifying how Sun Metro could become the guiding force. This effort took place in the way of reviewing what studies had been done in the past, as well as reviewing what projects have already been slated to begin. With this information, Segovia began to assist in steering Sun Metro toward the city's vision for the future.
Segovia was assigned the task of reviewing land-use development cases on behalf of Sun Metro to ensure that such plans were in compliance with the move toward alternative modes of transportation. He would accomplish this through direct contact with the private sector developers, as well as being the representative of Sun Metro at the city's Development Coordinating Committee, and at City Planning Commission meetings. It was also during this time that Segovia worked closely with the city Planning Department in its development of a form-based code to provide input from the transit aspect.
As part of this new line of thinking, Sun Metro began to move on the construction of four new transfer centers, in which Segovia became involved in as part of the overview process. He would attend all associated construction meetings representing the assistant director of Planning in order to ensure that each project was consistently progressing.
In 2010, Sun Metro began its analysis of implementing a bus rapid transit (BRT) system and it was requested that Segovia take an active part in the Alternative Analysis process. His duties included such tasks as researching existing BRT systems and communicating with the agencies operating the systems to gain information that would be beneficial in El Paso's BRT implementation.
Segovia was also given charge of the new bus shelter program at this time. As part of this program, he was to coordinate with the Engineering Department in analyzing bus stops and making recommendations as to which would receive shelters. This program is designated to run over the next four years, which Segovia will continue to oversee.
Segovia also oversees and manages other projects, such as the managing/tracking of the bus bench franchise agreements, installation of solar lighting systems at bus stops, the installation of new service placards and signage, and the monitoring of information placement at Sun Metro-owned kiosks and shelters.
As of May of this year, Segovia has also been designated as one of the leads in the initial steps for the new streetcar project. Just as in the BRT project, he will be reviewing and analyzing all consultants' documents and recommendations, researching economic and development impacts of the implementation of a streetcar and communicating with other agencies which have implemented similar programs.
Advancing Transit
"What I really enjoy is knowing that projects which we are working on will have a major positive impact on how citizens will view transit for years to come here in El Paso."
"I like being in the industry because of the comradery between agencies. Since there are so many projects either in development or in construction around the nation, it is a great feeling to know that you can easily contact a colleague with another agency for information which they used to advance their projects."
"I would like to see more people understand the benefits of using public transit, such as that it not only keeps money in their pockets from costly personal vehicle needs, but also that a system can open new doors for socializing and provide new personal experiences."
Outside the Office
"I come from a family that places a high priority in learning and for me there is nothing more relaxing than finding books on history or current events and take from them as much information as possible."
