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. Many attended the big home show hosted at the City of
Albuquerque’s Convention Center while others took part in downtown
St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
“This was a perfect example of how the Rail Runner can be a great
service to the region in more ways than one”, says Lawrence Rael,
Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “ Not
only did the train provide an alternative means of transportation
for those wanting to go to the big Home Show, but it also provided a
“safe” alternative for those who indulged in St. Patrick’s Day
festivities’ downtown”.
The Rail Runner carried about 5,800 people during it’s free service
this past Saturday.
“This past Saturday is proof of just how something like the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express can help in efforts to revitalize
downtown Albuquerque”, says Brian Morris, Acting President of the
Downtown Action Team. “People want to know they have a safe and
convenient way to get to and from the downtown area – whether it’s
to visit something like the Home Builders Showcase or to enjoy a big
happening like the St. Patrick’s Day tent event which attracted
about 10,000 people”.
“This is cause to look closely at implementing Rail Runner weekend
service this summer, which is under consideration at this time”,
says Lawrence Rael. “There will be more activities in the region as
the weather warms up, and this past weekend is a good gauge of how
many people would like to see train service available on summer
weekends”.
Contacts:
- Augusta Meyers, MRCOG Communications Mgr. 505-239-8612, ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
- S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of Transportation (505) 490-0976
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