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New Shuttle Service Between Santa Fe Rail Runner Station and Taos
ALBUQUERQUE
– May 19, 2009 – The Town of Taos announced a new express nonstop
shuttle service to link New Mexico Rail Runner travelers between
Taos and Santa Fe. The new service – The Taos Express – will run
weekends this summer beginning June 4th.
“The Rail Runner has been such a huge success, and we are looking
for ways to expand that service into Taos,” explained Taos Mayor
Darren Cordova. “Having the train continue into Taos is likely years
away. Instead of waiting, we created the Taos Express to bring
people to and from Taos easily and affordably. Our intent is
to continue and expand its service after this initial pilot program
run.”
The Taos Express schedules are designed to coordinate with the New
Mexico Rail Runner, north and southbound trains,
www.nmrailrunner.com.
The shuttles, which are ADA compliant, will have bike racks
and room for luggage for people who want to stay for the weekend in
Taos. Special Taos Express weekend packages can be found at
www.taosvacationguide.com.
“Over the last two years, New Mexicans have
turned to public transit in greater numbers than ever,” said
Transportation Secretary Gary L. J. Girón. “With the addition of the
Rail Runner, we have made it easier for people to connect throughout
Central New Mexico and now north to Taos. This new shuttle
connection is just another component of the Department’s multimodal
vision, and we welcome and encourage future connections throughout
the state.” “We’ve been getting lots of inquiries from people who would like to see the Rail Runner go farther north, and that’s a good indicator that more folks are discovering the convenience of what a system like this can bring to their area,” says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “One of the benefits of the Rail Runner service to Santa Fe is our ability to connect to Northern New Mexico. This shuttle is one example of how we can provide connections to communities in the north that have lasting impacts.” The Taos Express will cost $10 round trip for
adults; children 10 and under are free. Taos Express rider
connections to the Taos Chile Line Transportation Service will be
free, in addition to extended service to Taos Ski Valley. The
Santa Fe station location is the New Mexico Rail Runner Railyard
District Station on Guadalupe. The shuttle stop in Taos is in
the Loretto Free Parking Lot just off the Taos Plaza/Camino de la
Placita – just a short walk to the center of downtown historic Taos.
Taos Express travelers that connect with the Rail Runner and then
buses in Santa Fe or Albuquerque will spend less than $15 one way or
$30 round trip for a day or weekend of fun.
The Summer Schedule will be:
Thursday and Friday evenings –
Northbound: Leave Santa Fe at 6:30 p.m. (connect with the 5:46 p.m.
northbound NMRR train #516); arrive in Taos at 8 p.m.
Southbound: Leave Taos at 4:40 p.m.; arrive in Santa Fe at 6:10 p.m.
(connect with the 6:18 p.m. southbound NMRR train #517)
Saturday morning service –
Northbound: Leave Santa Fe at 11:30 a.m. (connect with the 11:15
a.m. northbound NMRR train #502); arrive in Taos at 1:00 p.m.
Southbound: Leave Taos at 6:25 a.m. arrive in Santa Fe at 7:50 a.m.
(meet the 8:10 a.m. southbound NMRR train #503)
Saturday evening service –
Northbound: Leave Santa Fe at 6:25 p.m. (connect with the 6:03 p.m.
northbound NMRR train #508); arrive in Taos at 8:10 p.m.
Southbound: Leave Taos at 4:20 p.m.; arrive in Santa Fe at 5:45 p.m.
(connect with the 6:20 p.m. southbound NMRR train #511)
“Our intent, even during these difficult economic times, is to
launch this service and work out how best to
sustain it after its June through September pilot phase,”
Mayor Cordova added. “The New Mexico Rail Runner service an exciting
and successful addition for New Mexico – something we hope
eventually comes further north. In the interim, we want
everyone – locals and visitors alike -- to be able to access its
service, and Taos, on weekends in a direct and relatively low cost
manner. “Whether you’re out to save money, reduce stress, be more ‘green’, enjoy the views, or simply experience the new transit services– the Taos Express is the ride for you. I hope to see you in Taos this summer.”
For more information about the Taos Express,
including sample itineraries and connections, go to
www.taosexpress.com.
Contacts:
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