EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A program that offered free Uber vouchers to help prevent impaired driving has been inactive in El Paso since last year after the District Attorney\u2019s Office did not apply for the next two state funding cycles.<\/p>\n
The \u201cPick Your Ride\u201d program used a Texas Department of Transportation traffic safety grant to offer Uber vouchers on select weekends, helping cover part or all of the cost of a ride home.<\/p>\n
In an initial statement to KFOX14\/CBS4, the El Paso District Attorney\u2019s Office said the program received $75,000 that was available through the end of September 2025, but the money ran out around Labor Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Pick Your Ride Program was active through the end of FY25 \u2014 essentially TxDot gave us $75k to use through the end of September 2025, and we exhausted the funds around Labor Day,\u201d the office said.<\/p>\n
When KFOX14\/CBS4 later asked by phone whether the program would return, a spokesperson for the District Attorney\u2019s Office said TxDOT had not offered or opened another application for the grant.<\/p>\n
TxDOT provided a different account.<\/p>\n
In a statement to KFOX14\/CBS4, the agency said:<\/p>\n
TxDOT provides entities the opportunity to apply for General Traffic Safety Grants to support the goals and strategies of TxDOT\u2019s Traffic Safety Program to reduce the number of motor vehicle related crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries in Texas. TxDOT did not receive a submission from the 34th Judicial District Attorney\u2019s Office for the request for proposal (RFP) for FY 2026 or FY 2027. The next opportunity to apply is anticipated to open in November for FY 2028 funding.<\/p>\n
KFOX14\/CBS4 requested an interview with District Attorney James Montoya after learning his office had not submitted an application for either funding cycle.<\/p>\n
Jordan Salas reports on Free Uber voucher program remains inactive after El Paso DA\u2019s Office did not apply (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Montoya was unavailable for an interview, and his office referred KFOX14\/CBS4 to a written statement.<\/p>\n
The District Attorney\u2019s Office said:<\/p>\n
The submission period for the FY2026 funding cycle occurred before our current administration took office. During the FY2027 proposal period, our Office reviewed the Pick Your Ride grant requirements, including the local matching component required of the receiving agency, and evaluated whether the program aligned with our available resources at that time.Our Office intends to submit an application for the FY2028 funding cycle once TxDOT releases the Notification of Funding Opportunity.<\/p>\n
The office did not specify how much money it would have been required to provide as a local match.<\/p>\n
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Regional Program Director Natalie Paulus said programs that give people alternatives to driving impaired can have a meaningful impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny program that’s available to help, you know, reduce those instances of impaired driving on our roadways are certainly incredibly valuable,\u201d Paulus said. \u201cWe never know what that one ride or, you know, that one decision by someone to call that rideshare could mean. It could mean saving a life or saving multiple lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
El Paso Police Department data recently presented to City Council shows 225 alcohol-related crashes were reported through April 2026.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: El Paso leaders review new DWI data, EPPD identifies hotspots across city<\/a><\/p>\n Police reported 558 alcohol-related crashes in 2025, 531 in 2024 and 575 in 2023.<\/p>\n Several people who spoke with KFOX14\/CBS4 said they would like to see the voucher program return.<\/p>\n One person said, \u201cIf this helps getting people not drink and drive, I mean, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n Another person said the program could help address alcohol-related crashes in El Paso.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe, you know, that is a good idea to go ahead and bring it back to the city,\u201d the person said. \u201cEspecially seeing how many accidents by far this year have been due to drunk driving.\u201d<\/p>\n TxDOT said the next application opportunity is expected to open in November for fiscal year 2028 funding.<\/p>\n The District Attorney\u2019s Office said it intends to apply.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: Autopsy: 25-year-old was knocked from moving vehicle, then run over in El Paso<\/a><\/p>\n