VIEW NEWER NEWS RELEASES
New Mexico Rail Runner Express Extends Service for Memorial Day
Weekend
Train Will Run on Sunday and Monday of
Holiday Weekend
(Albuquerque, NM -
May 7, 2009) - To kick off the
unofficial start of the summer season, the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express will extend its operating hours to include Sunday and Monday
service for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
According to Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of
the Mid-Region Council of Governments, the opening of the New Mexico
History Museum in Santa Fe was a determining factor in extending the
service throughout the weekend.
“We have had a number of requests from people
wanting to use the train on Sundays,” said Rael.
“With the opening of the New Mexico History Museum and
several other events taking place throughout the corridor, this was
an ideal time to give it a try and see how well our extended service
is utilized.”
More Information
NM Rail Runner Express to Travel to Las Cruces and EL Paso
Rail Runner Heads South for Railroad Days
(Albuquerque,
NM – May
1, 2009)-
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express
will be making a special trip south
as part of the second annual Railroad Days being held in the
City of Las Cruces next week. Before arriving in Las Cruces, the train will make a quick stop in El Paso so that residents of that west Texas town can climb aboard and check out the
Rail Runner first hand.
More
Information
Ride the Train with Orbit from the Isotopes
This Wednesday and Next
Popular Baseball Mascot Makes Two
Appearances
(Albuquerque, NM - May 1, 2009)
- The New Mexico Rail Runner Express will be hosting Albuquerque
Isotopes Baseball Mascot “Orbit” on the train the next two
Wednesdays to greet passengers and hand out 2009 Season Isotopes
baseball schedules.
More Information
Rio Metro
Assumes Role to Operate and Manage the
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
Regional Transportation Gross Receipts Tax
Passed in November Goes into Effect July 1st
(Albuquerque,
NM
– April 28, 2009) – The Board of Directors of Rio Metro
last week voted to assume operational control of the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express on behalf of the New Mexico Department of
Transportation. Last
November, voters in Bernalillo, Sandoval and
Valencia
counties supported the “Rio Metro Transit Initiative” - a gross
receipts tax to fund existing Rail Runner service and new transit
connections between the train stations, neighborhoods, and
employers. One-half of the generated revenue operating funds for the
Rail Runner after the current federal funding expires June 30th;
the remaining 50% will fund bus and shuttle operations serving
neighborhoods in the City of
Albuquerque
and other cities in the region as well as the region’s rural areas.
More Information
Two NMRX Stations Start Using Extended
Platforms
Los Ranchos and US 550
Stations Offer Easier Boarding For Passengers
(Albuquerque,
NM –
April 15, 2009)-
Construction crews have completed work on two New Mexico Rail Runner
Express platforms in an effort to make it easier for passengers to
get on and off the train. As part of the
Rail Runner project,
these platforms have been
expanded to accommodate longer train sets to better handle
significant increases in demand for the rail service.
More
Information
New
Mexico Rail Runner Express Ends
Service Early on Saturday, April 18th For Track Construction &
Improvements
Some Trains Canceled for Saturday ONLY
(Albuquerque,
NM – April 13,
2009)-
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express will end service early on
Saturday, April 18th for track construction and
improvements. The last train leaving
Santa Fe
will be the #511 train departing at 6:20 p.m. For passengers heading
north, the last train is the #508 arriving in
Santa Fe 6:03 p.m. All other Rail Runner
service that Saturday will run on its normal schedule.
More Information
South Capitol Rail Runner Station to Generate
Its Own Electricity
MRCOG Installing Photovoltaic System at South Capitol
Station
(Albuquerque,
NM – April 10, 2009)-
The Mid-Region Council of
Governments is installing a photovoltaic system at the South Capitol
Rail Runner station that will generate enough electricity to power
all the station’s electrical needs. The system includes roof-mounted
photovoltaic modules on the shade structures and pole mounted
modules, with a tracking system to keep those modules in optimal
alignment with the sun.
More Information
Look
for a Rail Runner Survey in April
Passengers Can Win an All-Zone Monthly
Pass Valued at $110
(Albuquerque, NM - March 24, 2009) - The New
Mexico Rail Runner Express will be conducting a short, on-line
survey between April 1 and April 15. The responses will
help us fine-tune our operations to serve our passengers better.
People completing the survey will be entered into a drawing for
valuable prizes including several all zone monthly passes,
valued at $110.
The survey will be posted on our web site beginning April 1.
Two Stations Get Bigger Platforms
Added Capacity at Los Ranchos and US 550 Stations Means
Easier Boarding for Passengers
(Albuquerque,
NM –
March 11, 2009)-
Construction crews just this week began work on the first of two New
Mexico Rail Runner Express platforms in an effort to make it easier
for passengers to get on and off the train. As part of the Phase Two
expansion to Santa Fe,
these platforms are being expanded to accommodate longer train sets.
More Information
Free Rides Come to an End for Santa Fe
Residents
WHAT:
Three-month free-ride period on the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express ends for residents of Santa Fe County. Beginning Wednesday, March 18th
– all passengers will pay regular fares.
WHEN:
Tuesday, March 17th
WHERE:
For specific information on train tickets and how to calculate your
train fare, visit nmrailrunner.com
More Information
Full Road Closure at Candelaria Road Crossing
Rail Runner Road Crossing Undergoes Improvements
(Albuquerque,
NM – March 11, 2009)-
North valley motorists traveling
through the railroad crossing at
Candelaria Road
between Second Street
and Edith Boulevard
will be diverted onto nearby roadways this weekend as the New Mexico
Rail Runner Express makes improvements to the roadway and railroad
track crossing.
More Information
New
Mexico Rail Runner Express Adds Extra Saturday Train
High demand results in more
commuter rail service to Santa Fe on Saturdays
(Albuquerque,
NM – February 26, 2009)-
Beginning this Saturday, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will
have one more train on the tracks between Belen and Santa Fe on Saturdays. The
extra train was added in response to overwhelming ridership since
Saturday service was implemented back in January.
More Information
Ride the NM Rail Runner Express and get free
admission into several state museums and monuments
Ride the train and get discounts at
stores and restaurants
(Albuquerque,
NM – December 18, 2008)-
The New Mexico Department of Transportation, the Department of
Cultural Affairs and the Mid-Region Council of Governments are
teaming up to offer Rail Runner passengers free admission to
select museums and monuments within the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express corridor between Belen and Santa Fe beginning through
March 31st, 2009.
More Information
Take a Picture with Santa on the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express
Santa Makes Stops in Albuquerque
and Santa Fe for Pre-Christmas Photos
(Albuquerque, Santa Fe, NM
– December 16, 2008)-
On Saturday, December 20th, people will get a chance to
have their child’s photo taken with Santa for free aboard the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express in Albuquerque or
Santa Fe! A Rail Runner train will be parked
at the Downtown Albuquerque station at 1st and Central,
right across from Century Rio Downtown Movie Theaters. Another Rail
runner train will be parked at the Santa Fe Depot at the Railyard in
Santa Fe.
More information...
NM Rail Runner Express Passengers Offered Free
Admission to State Museums and Monuments
SANTA FE – The
New Mexico Department of Transportation, the Department of
Cultural Affairs and the Mid-Region Council of Governments have
teamed up to offer Rail Runner passengers and commuters free
admission to select museums and monuments within the New Mexico
Rail Runner Express corridor between Belen and Santa Fe
beginning December 17.
More information
NM Rail Runner Express Gets Ready to Roll into
Santa Fe For Inaugural Run Monday
NM Dignitaries, Public invited on limited seating trains
WHEN:
Monday, December 15th
WHAT:
Governor Bill Richardson and several NM dignitaries will ride into
the City of Santa Fe aboard two
inaugural trains scheduled to depart Monday morning. The second
inaugural train is open to the public.
WHERE: See
specific departure times and locations of both trains:
Schedule
Governor Bill Richardson
Announces Debut of Rail Runner Express in Santa Fe
SANTA FE – Governor
Bill Richardson today announced that after nearly a year-and-a-half
of construction the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is ready to ride
into Santa Fe. On Monday, December 15, 2008 the Governor will
be joined by state, local and tribal officials, and several members
of the public for the first inaugural train ride from Albuquerque
into Santa Fe.
More
Information...
NM Rail Runner Express Hosts Open House at
Railyard This Saturday
Rail Runner Rolls into Capitol City for
a visit to the Santa Fe Farmers' Market
(Santa Fe,
NM – October
22, 2008) -
In anticipation of the commuter rail
corridor expanding north to Santa Fe this December, the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express will make a stop at the popular
Farmers’ Market taking place at the Santa Fe Railyard Park and Plaza this
Saturday.
More Information
Major Road Closures Expected in
Santa Fe
St. Michael's Drive and Intersection of Cerrillos Road
and St. Francis Drive Impacted
(Santa
Fe - September 11, 2008)
– Contractors will be reconstructing track on St. Michael’s Drive
and at the intersection of
Cerrillos Road
and St. Francis Drive
beginning next week.
More
Information
Rail Runner celebrates
One Million Riders!
And the winner is...
(Albuquerque,
NM – June 26, 2008)-
This morning following the arrival of the 7:39 southbound Rail
Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, commuter Andrea
Harvey became the one millionth passenger to ride the New Mexico
Rail Runner Express! The 28-year-old University of New Mexico
Training Support Analyst says she boards the train
at the US 550/Sandoval County station each morning, and takes it
into downtown Albuquerque where she
catches a free shuttle to her job at UNM.
More
info...
Rail Runner Enhances Safety &
Awareness with New Video and Event Recorder Monitoring System
New System Helps Train Operators Identify Potential
Trouble Spots
(Albuquerque,
NM – June 24, 2008)
–A
new monitoring system has been installed on the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express that will provide the ability to see first-hand any
trouble spots. Special cameras are now on the Rail Runner that
synchronize video with data from the train’s event recorder and then
make it available to view on a single downloadable file. More
info...
Rail Runner Adds Special Train
for Los Lunas Summerfest
Special Late Friday Night Train Added
(Valencia County, NM – June 11, 2008)-
This Friday people wanting to head to Los Lunas for the Village’s
annual Summerfest bash, will now have a way to get there and stay a
little later. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is adding a late
train to its regular Friday schedule, so that people can enjoy the
Friday night Balloon glow and not have to worry about driving or
parking.
More Info...
Nearly 6,000 Riders Used
the Rail Runner Last Weekend
Ridership Record Challenged
(Albuquerque, NM – May 29, 2008)-
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express gave 5,980 rides last weekend
during the first Saturday of Summer service.
That ranks as the second highest daily ridership figure
since the Rail Runner began service in July 2006.
The only other day that had more passengers was on
Friday, August 4, 2006 when 6,148 passengers rode the train –
three weeks after service began.
More Info...
New Mexico Rail Runner
Express "Quiets" Last Two Railroad Crossings in North
Valley Quiet Zone
(Albuquerque, NM – May 27, 2008)
–
Beginning today at 5 p.m., the last two crossings in the stretch of
railroad track between Menaul and Osuna Boulevards in the North
Valley will officially “go quiet”. Even though that whole section of
track was designated a quiet zone back in January, two of the six
crossings had to wait until construction work on
Montaņo Boulevard was complete before the
train horns could stop sounding their horns when passing through the
area. More
info...
Lt. Governor Denish and
Isleta Pueblo Governor Benavidez Break Ground for a New Rail
Runner Station
New Station Should be Completed by Fall
(Pueblo
of Isleta, NM – May 23, 2008)
–
Lt. Governor Diane Denish and Isleta Pueblo Governor Robert
Benavidez, joined by state and local transportation officials broke
ground to build the Isleta Pueblo Rail Runner Station.
More info...
Rail Runner Offers
Special Saturday Service Memorial Day Weekend Through Labor Day
Weekend
Service Kicks Off with Free Rides
this Saturday
(Albuquerque,
NM – May 21, 2008)-
Beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day
weekend, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is offering special
Saturday service for the summer. The charge to ride the train on
Summer Saturdays is a flat $2 fee, but to kick off this first
Saturday, passengers can ride the Rail Runner for FREE!
More info...
Survey Results Show Passengers
Pleased with Rail Runner Service
Nearly 50% of riders putting more money into
savings
(Albuquerque - May 13, 2008) – State
Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught announced today that a recent
survey showed 98 percent of Rail Runner passengers are not only
pleased with the service, but would highly recommend it to others.
See the Survey Results
May 16 is National Bike to Work
Day
(Albuquerque -
May 12, 2008)- ABQ Ride’s
Strive Not to Drive Week culminates in
Bike to Work Day on Friday
May 16, 2008. On this
day,
City of Albuquerque,
NM
Rail Runner Express and BikeABQ encourage commuters to try riding a
bicycle to work and celebrate those that already do so.
This year the event is extending beyond
Albuquerque
to the greater metro region with a food stop in Los Lunas.
More Info...
Upgraded Railroad Crossings
Could Soon Bring Quiet to Residents of Sandia Pueblo
Three Pueblo
crossings get new gates and flashing lights for added safety
(Sandia Pueblo, NM,
April 22, 2008)- The residents of
Sandia Pueblo may soon be hearing less train noise, thanks to some
upgrades being made at the three railroad crossings on the pueblo.
Each of the three crossings will be outfitted with a four-quadrant
crossing gate system that will make the surrounding area eligible to
be designated a “quiet zone”. The Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) approved construction that allows communities to minimize
noise impacts by investing in safety features designed to protect
pedestrians and drivers from collisions at railroad crossings.
Unlike the traditional crossing gates which block traffic with one
crossing arm on each side of the track, the four-quadrant gates
barricade all four lanes in both directions, preventing motorists
from trying to beat a train through the crossing.
More Info...
April is Rail Runner Safety Awareness Month
Rail Runner gives motorists a pat on the back for being
"Train Smart"
(Albuquerque,
NM – March 27,
2008)-
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is kicking
off Rail Runner Safety Awareness month this April 1st by
giving out some positive reinforcement to motorists who obey the
rules of the road near railroad tracks. This coming Tuesday, law
enforcement officers from the Town of Bernalillo
will be at the railroad crossing on Avenida Bernalillo (take I-25
exit #240) recognizing motorists for “good behavior” – instead of
bad. More Info...
Upgraded Railroad Crossing Could Soon Bring
Quiet to Belen Area Residents
A fourth railroad crossing gets new gates and flashing
lights for added safety
(Valencia County, NM - March
19, 2008) - As part of a continuing effort to improve and
consolidate crossings in the commuter rail corridor, the crossing at
Aragon Road - about a half-mile north of the Belen Rail Runner
station - has been outfitted with a four-quadrant crossing gate
system that will make the surrounding area eligible to be designated
a “quiet zone”. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approved
construction that allows communities to minimize noise impacts by
investing in safety features designed to protect pedestrians and
drivers from collisions at railroad crossings. Unlike the
traditional crossing gates which block traffic with one crossing arm
on each side of the track, the four-quadrant gates barricade all
four lanes in both directions, preventing motorists from trying to
beat a train through the crossing.
More Info...
Rail Runner Adds New Construction Page to
Website
The latest on Phase
II construction to Santa Fe now just a click away
(Albuquerque - March 12,
2008) - Now you can get the latest
information about plans to extend Rail Runner service to
Santa Fe by
going online. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express has added a new
page to its website specifically aimed at construction updates and
lane closures. More
Info...
Valencia County Commission
approves
Public Crossing at Luscombe Lane
Site of fatal Rail Runner accident to receive
improvements
(Valencia County, February 7, 2008)
– At the request of nearby residents, Valencia County Commissioners
voted to approve making the railroad crossing at Luscombe Lane a
public crossing. The Luscombe crossing was the scene of a fatal
accident involving the Rail Runner and a car last September.
More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
Hosts Open House on proposed Montaņo train station
Second railroad crossings gets gates and flashing
lights for added safety
WHEN: Tuesday, January 29th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHAT: The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with an
opportunity to review and comment on several alternative design
concepts for the proposed Montaņo station. A brief presentation on the
status of the Rail Runner project and North Valley quiet crossing work
will also be provided.
WHERE: The Los Griegos Community Center on Candelaria in the large
meeting room
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
makes more Railroad Crossing Improvements in Valencia County
Second railroad crossings gets gates and flashing
lights for added safety
(Albuquerque, NM - January 28, 2008)
– As part of a continuing effort to improve and consolidate crossings
in the commuter rail corridor, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is
beginning work today on another public railroad crossing in Valencia
County. The latest crossing to receive upgrades and improvements is
the Molina Road crossing in Los Chavez - approximately a
mile-and-a-half north of the Belen Rail Runner station.
More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
brings Quieter and Safer Railroad Crossings
to North Valley neighborhoods
Residents living near Menaul and Osuna will soon
hear less train noise
(Albuquerque, NM - January 22, 2008)
– Beginning tomorrow, North Valley residents living near the stretch
of railroad track between Menaul and Osuna Boulevards will be hearing
less of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. The Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) approved construction that allows the city to
minimize noise impacts by investing in safety features designed to
protect pedestrians and drivers from collisions at railroad crossings.
Utilizing appropriations from the last legislative session, this area
in Albuquerque’s north valley is the first to be designated an
official “quiet zone”.
More info...
Take a picture with Santa
Claus on the Rail Runner!
Santa stops by the Rail Runner for a pre-Christmas
Photo Opp!
(Albuquerque, NM - December 10 2007)
– This coming Saturday, people will get a chance to have their child’s
photo taken with Santa aboard the New Mexico Rail Runner Express for
free! A Rail Runner train will be parked at the Downtown Albuquerque
station at 1st and Central, right across from Century Rio Downtown
Movie Theaters. More info...
Weekend Lane Closures at
Woodward Road
Railroad Crossing in South Valley
Rail Runner crossing undergoes improvements
(Albuquerque, NM - November 30 2007)
– South valley motorists traveling through the railroad crossing at
Woodward Road between Second Street and Broadway Boulevard will be
diverted north to Coal Avenue and south to Rio Bravo Boulevard the
next two weekends, as the New Mexico Rail Runner Express makes
improvements to the railroad track crossing.
More info...
Rail Runner teams up with
RoadRunner to make the Holidays happier for those less fortunate.
(Albuquerque, NM - November 21 2007)
– For the second year in a row, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express
will be hosting a food drive in conjunction with the RoadRunner Food
Bank of New Mexico this holiday season. There will be collection
barrels on each Rail Runner train beginning Monday, November 26th.
More info...
Rail Runner makes Christmas
Shopping Easy!
Ride the train and get discounts at more than 100
stores from Albuquerque to Belen!
(Albuquerque, NM - November 19 2007)
– The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is once again offering special
Saturday service for Christmas shoppers this holiday season. Beginning
November 24th through January 5th, shoppers can hop on a Rail Runner
train and explore all of the unique shops downtown, or connect to an
ABQRide bus for free to get to Old Town, Nob Hill or ABQ Uptown.
More info...
Work Begins on the first of
many Quieter and Safer Railroad Crossings in the North Valley
New Mexico Rail Runner Express begins construction
on Candelaria Quiet Zone
(Albuquerque, NM - November 5 2007)
– Construction work started today on the first of several north valley
railroad crossings to be designated “Quiet Zones”. The crossing at
Candelaria Road is getting fitted with a new median with an
“unmountable curb” that will keep motorists from trying to go around a
crossing gate. More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
makes more Railroad Crossing Improvements in Valencia County
(Albuquerque, NM - October 22 2007)-
As part of a continuing effort to improve and consolidate crossings in
the commuter rail corridor, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is
making improvements to three public railroad crossings in Valencia
County. The three crossings slated for improvements are between the
community of Los Chavez to the north and the City of Belen to the
south. All three will be upgraded to include railroad crossing gates
and flashing signal lights.
More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
hosts 3-Day Hands-On Emergency Training
Emergency Responders from Belen to Santa Fe gather
in Albuquerque for valuable Railway Training
(Albuquerque, NM - October 18 2007)-
Nationwide safety statistics show that a train collides with a vehicle
or a person - on average - about once every two hours. With a
commitment to end such occurrences here in New Mexico, and to prepare
for any future incidents, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is
hosting a three-day Hands-on Emergency Training next week for all
emergency responders in the Rail Runner corridor between Belen and
Santa Fe, including responders from the Pueblos.
More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
begins work on first of many Quieter and Safer Railroad Crossings
Residents living near Menaul
and Osuna will soon hear less train noise
(Albuquerque, NM - October 11 2007)- The New
Mexico Rail Runner Express is moving forward with construction on the
first of many planned quieter and safer railroad crossings in and
around the City of Albuquerque. Utilizing appropriations from the last
legislative session, the first area to be designated an official
“quiet zone” will be near the stretch of track between Menaul and
Osuna Boulevards in the north valley. More info...
NM Department of
Transportation
MRCOG take measures aimed at Railroad Safety
(Albuquerque, NM - September 20, 2007)- In
light of the two recent incidents involving Rail Runner trains in the
corridor, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the
Mid-Region Council of Governments are working together to take
aggressive measures regarding railroad safety.
More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express once again offers Special Weekend Service to Balloon Fiesta
Fiesta-goers can Catch the Bird and leave traffic and parking headaches behind!
(Albuquerque, NM - September 19, 2007)- For the second year in a row, visitors to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will have another alternative available to get them to the colorful annual event. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express will be offering special service for the popular opening and closing weekends of Fiesta. More info...
Rail Runner Ends Summer Weekend Service
New Mexico Rail Runner Express ends Summer Service with a Bang as more than 15,000 ride the train!
(Albuquerque, NM, September 5, 2007) After 14-weeks of extended Friday and Saturday service through the summer months, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is discontinuing its special weekend service. Summer weekend service began over Memorial Day weekend and ran through this past Labor Day weekend, with extended service to the New Mexico Wine Festival in the Town of Bernalillo. More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express running special
Labor Day Weekend Service to Wine Festival again!
Wine Festival-goers urged to purchase Rail Runner tickets in advance on-line
(Bernalillo, NM August 23, 2007) For the second year, visitors to the New Mexico Wine Festival will have another transportation alternative to get to the wildly popular affair. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is offering special train service over the upcoming long Labor Day weekend. And like last year, people taking the train can catch a free shuttle bus from the U.S. 550/Sandoval County station to the festival, or they can opt to take a short walk from the station to the annual event. More info..
New Mexico Rail Runner Express Phase
II Environmental Assessment ready for Public Review
Rail Runner Phase II on track to go to Santa Fe by end of
2008!
(Albuquerque, 8-14-07) The Environmental Assessment (EA) has been
officially released for public review by the Federal Highway
Administration, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the
Mid-Region Council of Governments.
More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
Celebrates One Year Anniversary
Monday kicks off “Rail Runner Week” - prizes, a free ride, and
a birthday dedication!
(Albuquerque, 7-12-07) On July 17th the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express will celebrate one year in service. In honor of this
momentous event, all next week has been officially dedicated “Rail
Runner Week”.
More info...
Rail Runner celebrates
Half-a-millionth Rider!
And the Winner is…

(Albuquerque, 7-5-07) morning following the arrival of the 7:35
Rail Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, Los Lunas
commuter Shawna Anderson became the half-a-millionth passenger to
ride the New Mexico Rail Runner Express!
More info...
Rail Runner tickets now available
on-line!
Timesaver Alert: Purchase and Print your train ticket before
leaving your house!
Info on buying tickets on-line
(Albuquerque, 6-25-07) Commuters can now go on-line to purchase
and print their tickets to ride on the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express. All it takes is a credit card, a computer, and a printer.
More info...
Rail Runner adds another Saturday
train from the South!
New Summer Schedule
(Albuquerque, 6-22-07) New Mexico Rail Runner Express Saturday
schedule expands with earlier train coming from Belen allowing
residents from Valencia County to get into Albuquerque a little
earlier now on Summer Saturdays!
More info...
Record level passenger numbers
force Rail Runner to add extra train cars
High Gas prices encourage commuters to “dump the pump” and
“catch the bird”!

(Albuquerque, 6-14-07) – Rider numbers on the New Mexico
Rail Runner Express have jumped approximately 23-percent the past
two weeks, causing an extra train car to be added to several routes
to accommodate the increased passenger load.
More info...
Weekend lane closures in Los Lunas
for road work and safety upgrade of Rail Runner crossing
Traffic at NM State Road 6 and NM Highway 314 diverted Friday
through Sunday
(Los Lunas, 6-12-07) – Los Lunas motorists traveling
through the intersection of New Mexico State Road 6 and New Mexico
Highway 314 will be diverted onto a side road this weekend as the
New Mexico Department of Transportation and the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express make much-needed improvements to the roadway and
railroad track crossing. More
info...
Rail Runner runs special train for
Los Lunas Summerfest
Special Saturday train leaves Albuquerque early for planned
festivities in Valencia County
(Albuquerque, 6-7-07) – This Saturday people wanting to
head to Los Lunas for the Village’s annual Summerfest bash, will now
have a way to get there a little earlier. The New Mexico Rail Runner
Express is adding an earlier train to its Summer Saturday schedule,
so that people can get a head start on partaking in the day’s
planned activities. More
info...
Town of Bernalillo plans around Rail
Runner Stations
Residents asked to participate in planning efforts near Rail
Runner stations
(Bernalillo, 6-1-07) – When Governor Bill Richardson
dedicated the Sandoval County/U.S. 550 Rail Runner Station in
Bernalillo last July, he proudly announced that “the future of
transportation in NM has arrived.” Now, the residents of Bernalillo
have the opportunity to help shape what that future will look like
in the areas surrounding the Sandoval County Station and the
recently opened Downtown Bernalillo Station.
More
info...
Note: for more information about the project also see the
Transit Oriented Development pages of the MRCOG website.
Downtown Bernalillo Rail Runner
Station to be formally Dedicated
(Bernalillo, 5-22-07) – Less than a month after bringing
the New Mexico Rail Runner Express into the heart of Downtown
Bernalillo, the town is planning to celebrate with a formal
dedication ceremony. More
info...
Rail Runner offers special Summer
Service!
New Mexico Rail Runner Express running Friday evenings and on
Saturdays in Summer

(5-22-07) – Beginning Memorial Day weekend and running
through Labor Day weekend, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is
offering special Friday and Saturday service for the summer.
Summer Schedule Information
More info...
Historical train lands in Belen!
Governor Richardson helps Historic train car make final
journey back home to Belen

(5-18-07) – A small train car from New Mexico’s past
affectionately known as ‘the Doodlebug” will make its final journey
back to its original home in Belen this coming Monday.
More info...
Friday, May 18 is National Bike to
Work Day.
(5-14-07) – On Friday May 18, 2007, NM Rail Runner Express,
City of Albuquerque and BikeABQ encourage commuters to put down the
car keys and try riding a bicycle to work.
More info...
Rail Runner celebrates 400,000th
Rider!
And the Winner is…

(5-10-07) – This morning following the arrival of the 7:35
Rail Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, Los Lunas
commuter Yvette Williams became the 400,000th passenger to ride the
New Mexico Rail Runner Express!
More info...
Rail Runner celebrates 400,000th
Rider!
NM Rail Runner Express gets close to half-a-million passengers
in less than 10-months
(5-9-07) – Less than 10 months after taking to the track,
the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is celebrating another major
milestone – its 400,000th rider.
More info...
Ridership expands and so does
Parking Lot at Rail Runner Station in Los Lunas
Parking lot work making way for more commuters and new
transportation center
(Los Lunas, 4-30-07) – There’s now more parking to
accommodate the growing number of people riding the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express to and from Los Lunas. The recent parking lot
addition coincides with the first phase of construction of the new
Los Lunas Intermodal Transportation Center – a nearly 16,000
square-foot building slated to open later this year.
More info...
It’s official - Rail Runner Service
to Downtown Bernalillo starts tomorrow!
(Bernalillo, 4-26-07) – Beginning Friday, April 27th,
the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will begin passenger service
right into the heart of Downtown Bernalillo. The new station will
become the 7th station to be added to the 50-mile Phase One Rail
Runner corridor between the Town of Bernalillo to the north and the
City of Belen to the south.
More info...
Governor Richardson Officially
Dedicates New South Valley Rail Runner Station

New commuter rail station provides
much-anticipated connection to Sunport
(4-17-07) – Governor Bill Richardson, joined by state and
local elected officials, today dedicated the new Rail Runner station
in Albuquerque’s South Valley - the Bernalillo County/ International
Sunport Station.
More info...
New Rail Runner Fares
Going into effect April 1st
Rail Runner Riders will now pay according to how
far they travel
(3-22-07) – Starting April 1st, the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express will move from its introductory fare structure into a new
zone-based fare structure. The amount Rail Runner passengers will
pay for a ticket will be determined by the distance they travel.
More info...
Rail Runner Special Saturday
Service a BIG Hit!
More than 5,000 ride the train to St. Patrick’s
Day festivities and Home Builders Show Downtown
(3-19-07) – Thousands of people enjoyed free Saturday
service aboard the New Mexico Rail Runner Express this past St.
Patrick’s Day. More info...
It’s your Lucky Day: Rail
Runner provides free Saturday service
this St. Patrick’s Day!
Ride the Rail Runner to St. Patrick’s Day
festivities and Home Builders Showcase Downtown
view schedule
(3-14-07) – Lots going on in downtown Albuquerque this
weekend with the City of Albuquerque’s Convention Center hosting the
largest Home Show in New Mexico, as well as all kinds of St.
Patrick’s Day festivities. And as luck would have it – the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express is running free Saturday service so one
and all can enjoy without the hassles of traffic and parking.
More info...
Rail Runner work starts on
I-25
Work begins along interstate as part of Phase Two Rail Runner
route to Santa Fe
(3-13-07) – Motorists may have noticed some new activity in the
median of Interstate-25 near Santa Fe recently. Crews are working on
the New Mexico Rail Runner Express extension to Santa Fe.
More info...
Secretary Faught Announces
Free Transfers from Park and Ride to Rail Runner Express
(2-27-07) SANTA FE - Transportation Secretary Faught today
announced that starting Thursday, March 1, free transfers from New
Mexico Park and Ride bus service to Rail Runner Express commuter
train. More info...
Rail Runner celebrates
300,000th Rider!
And the winner is...
(2-22-07) This morning following the arrival of the 8:40
Rail Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, commuter Fred
Mollerud became the 300,000th passenger to ride the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express! More info...

Rail Runner celebrates
300,000th Rider!
NM Rail Runner Express reaches 300,000
passengers in little more than half a year of service
(2-21-07) It’s only been on the track for just more than a
half a year, and already the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is
celebrating its 300,000th rider.
More info...
Valencia County Emergency
Personnel get firsthand look at Rail Runner
Rail Runner to host Equipment
Familiarization for Valencia County responders
(2-15-07) How would Valencia County emergency responders react to
a serious incident involving the New Mexico Rail Runner Express
commuter train? This Saturday, they will get a firsthand chance to
“get to know” the Rail Runner equipment in the event they should
find themselves in a real life emergency involving the train.
More info...
Transportation Secretary
Faught Selects Rail Runner Route to Santa Fe
(2-14-07) SANTA FE – State Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught
announced today that Interstate 25 median will be used to bring Rail
Runner Express Commuter Train from Bernalillo to Santa Fe,
concurring with the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization
recommendation. More info...
Lt. Governor Denish
Officially Opens Rail Runner Service to Belen
(Belen, 2-2-07) – Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish joined
Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught, Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres,
and other elected officials this afternoon to officially open the
Rail Runner service to Belen. More
info...
.
Rail Runner starts service
to Belen
Opening
of Belen commuter rail station completes Phase One of Rail Runner
route
(1-25-07) – Service for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will
extend all the way south to the City of Belen Friday, Feb.2. The
opening of this leg of service completes the entire 50-mile Phase
One commuter line. More info...
Work begins at South Valley
Rail Runner Station
Construction crews get another commuter rail
station ready for service
(1-9-07) – Crews are now grading an area and moving dirt at what
will soon be the new Rail Runner commuter train station at Rio Bravo
in Albuquerque’s south valley.
More info...
Secretary Faught Announces New Bus Routes to Connect Rail Runner Express
(12-29-06) SANTA FE – Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught today announced that starting Tuesday, Jan. 2, the Department will add two new express buses to its New Mexico Park and Ride bus service. The express buses will run between Santa Fe and Bernalillo to provide connections to and from Rail Runner trains at the Sandoval County / US 550 Rail Runner station. More info...
Rail Runner starts service to Los Lunas
Los Lunas becomes 4th commuter rail station to be added to
the Phase One Rail Runner route
(12-11-06) - Service for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express between
Los Lunas and Albuquerque began this morning at 6:03 a.m. The parking
lot at the Los Lunas Rail Runner station was full, and there were
about 200 passengers on the first two morning trains leaving Los Lunas
for the 20.6 mile trip into Albuquerque.
More info...
Rail Runner makes Christmas Shopping Easy!
…and Santa stops by the Rail Runner for a pre-Christmas Photo
Opp!
(12-06-06) - The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is offering special
Saturday service for Christmas shoppers this holiday season.
December 9th, 16th, and 23rd, shoppers can hop on a Rail Runner train
and explore all of the cool shops downtown, or connect with an ABQRide
bus to one of the malls. More
info...
Rail Runner teams up with RoadRunner to make
the Holidays happier for those less fortunate
(12-05-06) - The New Mexico Rail Runner Express will be hosting a
food drive in conjunction with the RoadRunner Food Bank of New Mexico
this holiday season. There will be collection barrels on each Rail
Runner train beginning Wednesday, December 6th.
More info...
Rail Runner celebrates “UNM Rail and Ride
Week”
(11-9-06) - Starting Monday, November 13th, the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express is kicking off a week of festivities and fun aimed at
getting the word out about the new free shuttle service to the
University of New Mexico. More
info...
Rail Runner Alternatives Narrowed to Two
(11/8/06)- The New Mexico Department of Transportation and the
Mid-Region Council of Governments announced today that further work on
the extension of Rail Runner service between Albuquerque and Santa Fe
will focus on two primary alternatives.
More info...
Rail Runner Emergency Training Scheduled
Rail Runner Express to host Mock Emergency Drill for local
responder training
(11-01-06) - How would local emergency responders react to a
serious incident involving the New Rail Runner Express commuter train?
This Friday, they will get a firsthand chance to find out.
More info...

Rail Runner goes mobile to give Commuters
Ticket-purchasing Options
(10-17-06) - The New Mexico Rail Runner Express announced that it
is now utilizing Abanco International, LLC, a leading provider of
payment processing solutions, to provide (MDT) or Mobile Data
Technology to collect fares at Rail Runner platforms and on the train.
More info...
Rail Runner Introductory Fares to start soon!
(10-17-06)- Beginning November 1st, the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express will offer riders a flat fare of $2. Passengers will also have
options for a daily round-trip ticket and a monthly pass as well.
These prices will be discounted for students and senior citizens.
More info...
Rail Runner Celebrates 200,000th Rider!
And the Winner is…
(10-13-06)- This morning following the arrival of the 8:45 Rail
Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, commuter Bill
Patterson became the 200,000th passenger to ride the New Mexico
Rail Runner Express!
More info...
New Mexico Rail Runner Express offering
special weekend service to Balloon Fiesta
(09-21-06) This year, visitors of the
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will have another
alternative to get to the colorful annual event. The New Mexico
Rail Runner Express will be offering special service for the
popular opening and closing weekends of Fiesta.
More info
Rail Runner Meeting Notice
Meeting scheduled for 09/25/2006 to discuss
extending Rail Runner service to Santa Fe.
More info
Notes Available from August 23 Public Meeting of Rail Runner Extension to Santa Fe
(8-30-06) A public meeting was held August 23 at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe to discuss the future extension of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to Santa Fe.
Materials presented at the public meeting included:
- Why commuter rail is proposed and its importance
- Illustrations of the alignment alternatives under consideration
- Results of the screening analysis (multiple boards)
- Next steps in the evaluation process
- How you can provide input to the project team
More info
Labor Day Weekend Rail Runner service to Wine
Festival
(8-22-06) This year, visitors of the New Mexico Wine Festival will
have another alternative to get to the annual event. The New Mexico
Rail Runner Express will be offering special service over the Labor
Day weekend. People taking the train can catch a free shuttle bus from
the U.S. 550/Sandoval County station to the festival, or they can opt
to take a short walk to the annual event. More info
Rail Runner celebrates 100,000th Rider!
…and the Winner is a Rail Runner Regular!
(8-14-06) This morning, following the arrival of the 8:45 Rail
Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, commuter Grace
Quintero became the 100,000th passenger to ride the New Mexico Rail
Runner Express!
“I’m so excited!” said the University of New Mexico Hospital Medical
Assistant. “I love riding the train! I ride it everyday – it gets me
to work on time, and there’s no stress!”More info

Commuter Rail Status Report (Updated July, 2006)
(7-31-06) Get the A-to-Z information on everything there is to know about commuter rail service running through the heart of New Mexico: how it got started – where the project stands now – and where it’s going in the future.
Highlights of this report include:
- The fare structure for the service
- An explanation of the BNSF Agreement and comparative transactions
- An update on capital and operating costs
- A summary of key findings from the Alternatives Analysis
- Updated station construction schedules
- Results of a Research and Polling survey on several aspects of the project More info
Governor Richardson Announces Rail Runner Will Run on Biodiesel Fuel
New Commuter Train One of the First in the Country to Use Biodiesel Fuel
(07-28-06) As part of his effort to address sustainable resources, Governor Bill Richardson announced that the new commuter train - the New Mexico Rail Runner Express – will start running on biodiesel fuel. More info
Rail Runner Now Running Every Weekday

Fast becoming a familiar sight: Rail Runner trains at the Downtown
Albuquerque station
UNM Hospital
adds employee shuttle service to connect with Rail Runner
(7-13-06) UNM
Hospital is among the first businesses to
provide a free shuttle service for employees who would like to
use the New Mexico Rail Runner Express as part of their daily
commute to and from work.
More Info
The Rail Runner Express is making
Connections!
(7-06-06) In case you’re wondering how to get where you’re going
once you get “off” the state’s new commuter train – wonder no more!
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is offering passengers a number of
connector options to help get them to work or wherever they’re going
once they arrive at their Rail Runner destination.
More info
Limited Rail Runner Service Starts July 14th
On July 14th, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will start service
for the public at the following stations: U.S. 550, Los
Ranchos/Journal Center and Downtown Albuquerque. These will be the
only stations open for service until September/October when the
service will be extended to the Los Lunas and Belen stations. Please
consult station openings for updates on the
exact opening dates.
Trash and Graffiti Cleaned in Rail Runner Corridor
(6-29-06) Starting today, clean-up crews will be out in full force erasing graffiti and removing unsightly debris in the corridor through which the Rail Runner commuter train will soon start carrying passengers. The crews, made up of about 35 state and city correctional inmates, will be concentrating their efforts in two different locations in the Albuquerque area. More info
Promoting a Safe Ride on the Rail Runner
(5-30-06) In preparation for Rail Runner service beginning July, the Mid Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) is taking a closer look at safety. Rail Runner planners have implemented a number of initiatives to promote a safe ride for Rail Runner passengers and safe interaction with Rail Runner tracks and equipment. These initiatives are intended to educate future riders of all ages and encourage open communication with local residents and businesses located near Rail Runner tracks. More info
Ride the NM Rail Runner for FREE!
The new commuter rail is waiving fares on its introductory service to give you an opportunity to experience the convenience and fun of riding the Rail Runner. More info
Service to Santa Fe: The Alternatives Report
Growth projections show the population exploding in the next 20 years. Find out why a recent study suggests commuter rail is the best answer for travel between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
More info
Hot off the press –from the Rail Runner Express

Executive Director Lawrence Rael
Speaks to a Television Reporter
If you are a member of the news media and have any questions about the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, please contact our Communications Manager Augusta Meyers at ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov