New Mexico Rail Runner

If you do not already know, the New Mexico RailRunner is a newer way to get to and from locations around Albuquerque and its Northern and Southern neighbors. Stations run down to Valencia County and also up to Sandoval County. Tracks are still being worked on for a new stop in our state capitol of Santa Fe.

I'm personally excited about that stop as it would be nice to take my bike, jump on the train and spend the day walking the Santa Fe shops and enjoying the good food and atmosphere. Apart from saving on gas money, you can sit back, enjoy the scenery or pull out your laptop and get some work done. (I'm not sure if it was implemented, but I had read that the stations and the train might have FREE WI-FI!).

Each Station has ADA boarding platforms, wind screens, passenger seating and bike racks. The also have information kiosks and some with electronic message boards with current information. For safety, they keep security cameras, night lighting and an Emergency Call button to access 911.

Pricing varies depending on how many "zones" you'll be passing on your trip. For example, (use map on left) if I begin my trip Downtown Albuquerque and want to go to Downtown Bernalillo, I'll have to pay the two zone fee but if I want to go from Los Ranchos/Journal Center to Int'l Sunport, I'll only pay for one zone. Pricing is as low as $1 for a one way trip in one zone, with day passes, month passes and year passes affordable available.

For more information I recommend checking out the official website nmrailrunner.com. They have up to date information on the progress, events, schedules, pricing and anything else that's related.

Jose Cabrera

www.505life.com