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| Rail Runner Express | |
|---|---|
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| Reporting marks | NMRX |
| Locale | Albuquerque, New Mexico metro area |
| Dates of operation | 2006 – present |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge) |
| Headquarters | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is a commuter rail system serving the metropolitan area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation(NMDOT) and the Mid Region Council of Governments(MRCOG), a regional government planning association. The system is in Phase I of planned development, operating on an existing BNSF Railway right of way from Belen to Bernalillo. Phase II, scheduled to open in 2008, will extend the line northward to Santa Fe.
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[edit] History
The Rail Runner began when Governor Bill Richardson announced that his administration was going to pursue the implementation of commuter rail service between Belen and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2003, grants were given to NMDOT and MRCOG to implement train service. That same year, the New Mexico State Legislature passed "Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership (GRIP)", a transportation improvement package. The Rail Runner was one of the projects in that bill.[1]
NMDOT and MRCOG created a strategy for Phase I of the service. In 2005 a name and branding scheme was announced. The name "Rail Runner" is a play on the name of New Mexico's state bird, the roadrunner. The cars and locomotives were received throughout the year of 2005 and groundbreaking for the first Rail Runner station took place on October 31, 2005.
The Rail Runner officially went into service on July 14, 2006.
[edit] Justification
The Central New Mexico corridor, which is home to half the state's population, is anchored by Santa Fe (the state capital) and Albuquerque (the largest city and economic hub). The two cities are connected by a single four-lane interstate highway, I-25. Within the Albuquerque metro area, the urbanized parts of Valencia County are separated from Albuquerque by Native American Pueblos. In fact, there are seven Pueblos along the entire corridor, making the addition of new roadways or the expansion of current capacity unlikely.
The high real-estate prices in Santa Fe mean that many of the people who work there must commute from Albuquerque or Rio Rancho. Furthermore, the capital is home to many of the state's cultural institutions and tourist attractions, and most out-of-state visitors are forced to make the 60-mile journey from the Albuquerque International Sunport by car. Commute times are expected to increase 80% on some routes by 2025, making the introduction of additional forms of transportation a priority to local governments.
[edit] Criticism
Critics of the Rail Runner system believe that funds would be better spent widening Interstate 25 between Santa Fe and Tramway Boulevard in Albuquerque and also widening I-25 south of the Sunport to Belen. (This was determined to be most likely impossible as the Pueblos I-25 passes through have refused permission for road widening.) Preliminary estimates indicate that the service will operate at a deficit, requiring up to $10 million in government subsidies annually.[2]
[edit] Ridership
On the first day of service the Rail Runner carried 4,122 passengers. These numbers climbed through the first few weeks of operation, averaging at around 4,000 to 4,500 riders a day and once peaking at 6,000 riders a day.[3] On August 14, barely a month after the start of service, the Rail Runner received its 100,000th passenger.
In the month of August, the ridership went down, dropping to around 2,500 to 3,000 riders a day, and then down to 2,100 to 2,500 riders a day in September. Part of the reason behind this drop was that many of the riders in the early weeks of service were not commuters, but people "trying out" the train because it was new.[4] Despite this, the Rail Runner received its 200,000th passenger on October 13.
The Rail Runner began charging fares on November 1st, and the ridership dropped to around 1,000 passengers a day.[5]
[edit] Stations
Phase I (approx 47-miles) of the commuter rail line includes nine stations. From North to South, they are:
- Sandoval County/U.S. 550
- Downtown Bernalillo
- Sandia Pueblo
- Los Ranchos/Journal Center
- Downtown Albuquerque (Alvarado Transportation Center)
- Rio Bravo/Airport
- Isleta Pueblo
- Los Lunas
- Belen
Currently, only the Sandoval County/US 550, Los Ranchos/Journal Center, and Downtown Albuquerque stations are open. The Downtown Bernalillo, Los Lunas, and Belen stations are scheduled for a December 2006 opening date. The rest will follow, opening sometime in 2007.
[edit] Schedule
Currently, the Rail Runner only operates during weekday peak periods and one weekday mid-day train.
[edit] Ticketing
Through April 1, 2007, there will be a flat rate of $2 one-way, with round trip tickets at $3 and a monthly pass for $50. Senior citizens, students, and people with disabilities pay half the normal fare. Children under the age of 10 will ride for free.
Starting in April 2007, a permanent zone based fare structure will be established.
[edit] Rolling Stock
The Rail Runner power includes five Motive Power MPI MP36PH-3C diesel-electric locomotives that operate on biodiesel fuel.
Passenger cars include four Bombardier BiLevel Coaches and six Bombardier BiLevel Cab cars. The FRA reporting marks for the Rail Runner Express is NMRX. Locomotives have three-digit road numbers beginning with the numeral 1 (ie: 101). Coaches have four-digit road numbers beginning with the numeral 1 (ie: 1001). Cab cars have four-digit road numbers beginning with 11 (ie: 1101). Restrooms and water fountains are available in the cab cars. Bicycle and wheelchair locks are on the first level of all coaches.
The livery of the New Mexico Rail Runner depicts a roadrunner on the locomotive and trailing tailfeathers on the coaches.
[edit] Connections
The Rail Runner connects with Amtrak, Greyhound, and the New Mexico Park and Ride in downtown Albuquerque. There are connections to numerous ABQRide routes in Downtown Albuquerque (including Rapid Ride) and Route 151 at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center station.
There is a shuttle to Rio Rancho at the US 550 station, as well as a New Mexico Park and Ride lot.
[edit] Phase II
Various alternatives are under consideration for the extension of the line to Santa Fe. Using the existing BNSF track, which is filled with sharp curves, would require the train to slow to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) in some places. It also travels too far east, so new tracks will need to be laid to produce travel times comparable to the automobile. The line is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008.
[edit] Trivia
- The New Mexico Rail Runner was featured on Mythbusters solving a popular myth that the vortex of wind a train creates can pick up a person standing close to the tracks. The episode debut on November 8th, 2006.
[edit] References
- ^ Commuter Rail Status Report at the Rail Runner website
- ^ Albuquerque Journal Story: Train Debate Ignores I-25 Funding Needs. Retrieved on November 18, 2006.
- ^ Albuquerque Tribune Story: Stats don't faze train managers. Retrieved on November 18, 2006.
- ^ Albuquerque Tribune Story: Fewer people are riding the Rail Runner for fun. Retrieved on November 18, 2006.
- ^ KOB-TV Story: About 1,000 people a day pay to ride Rail Runner. Retrieved on November 29, 2006.
