Frequently Asked Questions
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express will help meet transportation needs of our rapidly growing metropolitan area. Traffic, and the time it takes you to drive to your destination, is projected to increase dramatically over the next 20 years. In fact in 2025, peak hour travel between Belen and Albuquerque is estimated to take almost an hour-and-a-half! So, while traveling by car will just get slower, the Rail Runner will continue to get faster.
In addition, the Rail Runner is reliable - no more running behind schedule because you are stuck in traffic due to an accident.
The Rail Runner is convenient – just think about how much time per week you spend driving to work. Wouldn’t you rather just sit back, enjoy the morning paper, and relax? Let us do the running!
And let’s not forget saving money. According to AAA, the commute between Belen and Albuquerque costs automobile commuters about $10,000 annually. Rail Runner can slash these costs considerably.
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express uses zone-based fares. The
amount you pay for your ticket is determined by the distance you
travel, so that shorter trips cost less than longer ones. Read all
about it on our tickets page.
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express schedule reflects traffic patterns, and is designed to accommodate travel to and from work. Additionally, the schedule includes mid-day and early evening service for education, shopping and entertainment-related travel. See the complete train schedule.
The Rail Runner will take about 45 minutes to get you from downtown Belen to downtown Albuquerque. Train travel times between Bernalillo and downtown Albuquerque are expected to take about 22 minutes. While these travel times are about what it takes to drive between these points today during peak hours, commuter rail travel times are not subject to many of the factors that can make auto times so unreliable, such as recurring congestion, crashes, incidents, and weather.
Parking areas are conveniently located within walking distance of the stations and are, in most cases, free of charge. The lots are designed to accommodate an ample number of vehicles, and are clean and well maintained so that commuters’ Rail Runner experience is streamlined and efficient. And in the case that your commute brings you back to the station after dark, no problem - all parking areas are well lit, so you’ll be able to quickly locate your vehicle.
But if parking is not the order of the day, each station is also equipped with a handy “kiss and ride” area – where commuters can be dropped off by car directly at the platform.
If you work at one of the 19,000 jobs within a 15 minute walk from the Downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner station, you may choose to go the distance on foot. However, many commuters will find that connecting to one of the many City buses will be the most efficient way to get where they’re going. And the same goes for commuters using the Los Ranchos / Journal Center station to get to the busy Jefferson corridor. Additionally, Rail Runner is working with various local “destinations”, such as UNM and TVI, to develop dedicated shuttle service to bring you directly to campus. Read more about connections.
The platforms have wheelchair ramps to assist entry onto the trains, and several of the cars are equipped with ADA accessible restrooms and wheelchair locks. Each train will have space for at least two bicycles, and bike racks will be found at each station. Read more about bringing wheelchairs and bikes on the Rail Runner Express.
Rail Runner trains have full restroom facilities and very comfortable seats so you can actually catch some additional Z’s on your way to work or school. You will also be able to bring food and drink on board with you to make your trip even more enjoyable.
Eventually, you will also be able to enjoy seamless wireless internet access. This means you can enjoy your ride while working, shopping on-line, emailing, or just surfing the web.
Other onboard accommodations include overhead luggage racks, digital message boards, and in most cases, standard AC power outlets are available so that passengers can power their own electronic devices such as laptops.
Total costs for Phase I of the project (Belen to Bernalillo), are $135 million. This includes $75 million in state money for the purchase of train cars and locomotives, the design and construction of stations, and track and signal improvements. $50 million in state money is allocated for purchase of the track and rights-of-way from Belen to Bernalillo. Sandoval County contributed $10 million for the purchase of an additional train set, and for station development in Sandoval County.
Phase II costs of the project (Bernalillo to Santa Fe) are estimated between $240 and $255 million. This includes the purchase of existing track and construction of new track, design and construction of stations, and the acquisition of more cars and locomotives.
The Mid-Region Council of Governments and the New Mexico Department of Transportation are responsible for the passenger amenities that are located in the railroad’s right of way, such as the platform, lighting, and the parking area. The local governments are responsible for any additional development at the site. Potential additional developments include a structured depot, retail/commercial buildings, and even residential developments. Such activities are dependent on local land use plans and community planning efforts.
The Mid-Region Council of Governments and The New Mexico Department of Transportation are responsible for negotiating with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for use of the tracks, buying the engines and cars, developing the platforms, parking areas and access routes, designing the service, ensuring the public’s safety, and developing a maintenance facility.
The local governments are responsible for participating in determining platform locations and designs, helping to gather community input, enhancing vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle connections to the platforms, and ensuring that the commuter rail system is well integrated into the local community and local economy.
Results of a major study that looked at transportation options for travel between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, revealed few options for relieving projected congestion in the I-25 corridor over the next 20 years. The study, called the Albuquerque- Santa Fe Alternatives Analysis, was conducted by URS Greiner, Inc. for the Mid-Region Council of Governments and the New Mexico Department of Transportation. After researching alternatives such as adding more lanes to Interstate-25, bus service, and the use of existing railroad track, the Alternatives Analysis identified commuter rail (using both existing and new railroad tracks) as the “locally preferred alternative” for the transportation connection between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Phase II of Rail Runner service is scheduled to be completed in late 2008. The MRCOG and NMDOT are examining the environmental, cultural, and biological considerations.
Please call (505) 245-RAIL, TTY (505) 247-0757.
