ABQ RIDE
 |
|
|---|---|
| Founded | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Service area | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Service type | Public transportation |
| Routes | 41 |
| Hubs | Alvarado Transportation Center Uptown Transit Center Northwest Transit Center Southwest Mesa Transit Center |
| Fleet | 190 |
| Fuel type | CNG, Diesel-electric hybrid |
| Operator | City of Albuquerque |
| Chief executive | Bruce Rizzieri |
| Web site | http://cabq.gov/transit |
ABQ RIDE is the local transit agency serving Albuquerque, New Mexico. ABQ RIDE operates a variety of city bus routes including the Rapid Ride semi-BRT service. Serving 12 million passengers in 2010, it is the largest public transportation system in the state.[1] The name "ABQ RIDE" and a new logo depicting the Alvarado Transportation Center clock tower were chosen in a contest, replacing the previous name, "SunTran". The current ABQ RIDE color scheme is red, white, and gold, though some of the existing fleet wears the previous red, white, and turquoise livery.
Contents |
[edit] Service
The ABQ RIDE system includes regular service routes on most of the city's major streets as well as commuter routes that ferry workers between residential areas and the city center. Many routes terminate at the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown, where riders can connect to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express and other intercity modes of transportation. ABQ RIDE also operates the Rapid Ride BRT service and a circulator route for Downtown Albuquerque.
ABQ Ride service for most routes begins at 6 am and a few routes running along the main corridors of the city don't complete their service until around 10:30 pm. A notable exception is the route 66 bus that runs until approximately midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
In addition to its fixed route services, ABQ RIDE also operates a paratransit service called SunVan (known as Mini Ride from 2003–2006) that runs curb-to-curb service.
[edit] Routes
[edit] Routes operating on weekdays and weekends
- 1 Juan Tabo Weekday and Weekend
- 2 Eubank Weekday Weekend
- 3 Louisiana Weekday Weekend
- 5 Montgomery/Carlisle Weekday Weekend
- 8 Menaul Weekday Weekend
- 10 North Fourth Street Weekday Weekend
- 11 Lomas Weekday Weekend
- 16/18 Broadway/University/Gibson (The "B.U.G.") Weekday Weekend
- 31 Wyoming Weekday Weekend
- 66 Central Avenue Weekday Weekend
- 141 San Mateo Weekday Weekend
- 155 Cottonwood/Coors Weekday Weekend
- 198 98th Street/Dennis Chavez Weekday Weekend
- 766 Rapid Ride (Red Line) Weekday Saturday Sunday
- 777 Rapid Ride (Green Line) Weekday Saturday Sunday
[edit] Routes operating on weekdays and Saturdays
- 36 12th Street/Rio Grande Weekday Saturday
- 50 Airport/Downtown Weekday Saturday
- 51 Atrisco/Rio Bravo Weekday and Saturday
- 53 Isleta Weekday Saturday
- 54 Bridge/Westgate Weekday Saturday
- 157 Golf Course/Montano/Uptown/Kirtland AFB Weekday Saturday (Service to Kirtland AFB on weekdays only)
- 790 Rapid Ride (Blue Line) Weekday Saturday
[edit] Routes operating on weekdays only
- 6 Indian School Commuter Weekday
- 7 Candelaria Commuter Weekday
- 12 Constitution Commuter Weekday
- 13 Comanche Commuter Weekday
- 34 San Pedro Commuter Weekday
- 40 Downtown Get Around "D-Ride" Weekday (free route)
- 92 Taylor Ranch Express Weekday
- 93 Academy Commuter Weekday
- 94 Unser Commuter Weekday
- 96 Crosstown Commuter Weekday
- 97 Zuni Weekday
- 98 Wyoming Commuter Weekday
- 140 San Mateo Weekday
- 162 Ventana Ranch Commuter Weekday
- 217 Kirtland AFB Limited Weekday
- 222 Rio Bravo/Sunport Weekday
- 250 Airport/Downtown Nonstop Express Weekday
- 251 Albuquerque-Rio Rancho Rail Runner Shuttle Weekday
- 551 Jefferson-Paseo Del Norte Express Weekday
[edit] Fares
| Fare category | Standard Fare | 1-Day Pass | 2-Day Pass | 3-Day Pass | Monthly Pass | 3-Month Pass | 6-Month Pass | Yearly Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | US$1.00 | US$2.00 | US$4.00 | US$6.00 | US$30.00 | US$75.00 | US$125.00 | US$225.00 |
| Student (Age 10 - High School) 1 | US$0.35 | N/A | N/A | N/A | US$12.00 | US$30.00 | US$50.00 | US$90.00 |
| Senior (62+) & mobility impaired 2 | US$0.35 | N/A | N/A | N/A | US$12.00 | US$30.00 | US$50.00 | US$90.00 |
| Child (Under 10) 3 | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| UNM/CNM Students 4 | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
1Requires valid school ID.
2Requires picture ID.
3Must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
4Class schedule must be shown to obtain sticker. ABQ RIDE sticker valid for one year.
The fare for ABQ RIDE's paratransit service is $2 One-Way, with 10 paratransit fares for $18.
On August 13, 2007, all bus routes are now free for University of New Mexico students. In October 2007, free ridership was extended to Central New Mexico Community College students as well.
[edit] Fleet
[edit] Current fleet
| Number | Year | Model | Image | Length | Engine model | Engine type | Farebox | Garage |  |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301-340 | 1996 | Neoplan AN440A |  |
40 feet (12.19 m) | Cummins L10G | CNG | GFI Odyssey | Southside (Yale Blvd) |
 |
Originally used flip-dot headsigns, replaced by TwinVision LED signs in 2004. Digital Recorders annunciators added in 2004. Fareboxes upgraded from GFI CENTSaBILL in October 2009 |
| 401-435 | 2001 | Thomas Built SLF 232G |   |
32 feet (9.75 m) | Cummins B-Gas Plus |
CNG | GFI Odyssey | Southside (Yale Blvd) |
|
First low floor buses First buses to include annunciator system 402-404 used on D-Ride Most replaced by 900-series. Fareboxes upgraded from GFI CENTSaBILL in October 2009 on remaining fleet. To be retired late 2011 or early 2012. |
| 436 | 2002 | Thomas Built SLF 235 |  |
35 feet (10.67 m) | Cummins ISB |
Diesel | GFI Odyssey | Southside (Yale Blvd) (Westside 2007-2008) |
|
Only diesel-powered 35-foot 400-series bus in ABQ RIDE fleet. Stored in 2008, returned to service in 2011. |
| 6401-6412 | 2004 | New Flyer DE60LF |  |
60 feet (18.29 m) | Caterpillar C9 / Allison Hybrid |
Diesel-electric hybrid | GFI Odyssey | Westside (Daytona Rd) |
|
Used on Rapid Ride Low floor Features a signal-priority system Fareboxes upgraded from GFI CENTSaBILL in October 2009 |
| 6601-6606 | 2006 | New Flyer DE60LF |  |
60 feet (18.29 m) | Caterpillar C9 / Allison Hybrid |
Diesel-electric hybrid | GFI Odyssey | Westside (Daytona Rd) |
|
Similar to the 6400-series, but with modified windows, emergency exits, and air recirculation systems Features a signal-priority system |
| 701-758 | 2007 | New Flyer DE40LFR |  |
40 feet (12.19 m) | Cummins ISL / Allison Hybrid |
Diesel-Electric hybrid | GFI Odyssey | Westside (Daytona Rd) |
|
Features restyled front end, frameless windows, and video screens Features a signal-priority system |
| 950-983 | 2009 | New Flyer DE40LFR |  |
40 feet (12.19 m) | Cummins ISL / Allison hybrid |
Diesel-electric hybrid | GFI Odyssey | Southside (Yale Blvd) |
|
Features restyled front end, frameless windows, and video screens Features a signal-priority system Replaced most 400 series. |
| 6901-6906 | 2009 | New Flyer DE60LFR |  |
60 feet (18.29 m) | Cummins ISL / Allison hybrid |
Diesel-electric hybrid | GFI Odyssey | Westside (Daytona Rd) |
|
Features restyled front end and video screens. Features a signal-priority system. |
As of 2008, all ABQ RIDE buses are wheelchair accessible.
All buses feature TwinVision LED destination signs. The front destination signs on the New Flyer buses are able to display route numbers in different colors (as the Rapid Ride buses do for the three Rapid Ride routes, the Red Line, Blue Line, and Green Line). All other signs, including the front destination signs on all 300 and 400 series buses, display in orange only. The 300 series buses formerly featured flip-dot destination signs, however, they were retrofitted with the orange TwinVision LED signs in 2004 alongside the automated voice annunciatior system.
All buses are also all equipped with a Digital Recorders automated voice annunciator system, which announces the major intersections (or on the Rapid Ride buses, the stops). The system was first introduced in 2001 on the 400 series buses. The 300 series buses were retrofitted with the system in 2004 (alongside the TwinVision LED destination signs), and all deliveries since then has had the system factory-installed.
ABQ RIDE has also signed options with New Flyer for 94 60-foot articulated hybrid buses and 68 40-foot hybrid buses [1]. Other transit authorities have since piggybacked on ABQ RIDE's articulated bus options, 25 being by MBTA in Boston, Massachusetts, eight by RTC RIDE in Reno, Nevada and 17 by Valley Metro in Phoenix, Arizona.
On October 4, 2010, the Federal Transit Administration approved a $3 million grant request from ABQ RIDE to provide money for bus replacement.[2]
[edit] Retired fleet (since 1965)
Source: ABQ Bus Riders
| Number | Year introduced | Year retired | Model | Engine type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 404-424 | 1966 | 1980 | GMC "Old Look" TDH-3501 | Diesel |  |
| 101-109 | 1973/1974 | 1980 | Flxible Flxette | Diesel | |
| 501-506 | 1975 | 1997 | GMC New Look T8H-5308A | Diesel | |
| 601-652 | 1976 | 1997 | GMC New Look T6H-4523A | Diesel | |
| 701-724 | 1978 | 1997 | Flxible/Grumman 870 45096-8-1 | Diesel | |
| 801-815 | 1982 | 2002 | GMC RTS T80204 | Diesel | |
| 101-110 | 1989 | 2008 | TMC RTS T80206 | Diesel | |
| 201-248 | 1989 | 2008 | TMC RTS T70206 | Diesel | |
[edit] Other vehicles
In addition, the fleet comprises numerous smaller vehicles like the SunVan paratransit vans and Old Town trolley. CNG buses (300-series and buses 401-435), 436, the 900-series buses, and the Old Town Trolley operate out of the Yale Transit Facility on 601 Yale Blvd. SE, while the 700-series, Rapid Ride buses (6400-series, 6600-series, and 6900-series), and the paratransit fleet operate out of the West Side Transit Facility on Daytona Rd near Unser Blvd. and I-40. The Westside Transit Facility operates on all seven days a week except on city-observed holidays. The Yale Transit Facility operates on weekdays only.
[edit] Future plans
The city currently has plans to add a streetcar connecting Old Town, Nob Hill, the University of New Mexico and eventually the city's airport.[3] However, after the project received heavy criticism due to its costs and alleged poor planning, the city announced that it would conduct a new study examining the city's transportation needs. This study may take at least a year to complete.[4] Since the recent transportation tax increase was approved on October 6, 2009, there has been discussion about a new Rapid Ride route. The location for this new Rapid route will likely be along San Mateo.
[edit] Bus rapid transit service along Central
In November 2011, ABQ RIDE announced plans for true bus rapid transit service along Central Avenue.[5] The service differs from the Rapid Ride based on the fact that it would use a dedicated travel lane, and thus can be considered a true BRT service.
[edit] Notes
- ^ http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S2311057.shtml?cat=500
- ^ "Federal Transit Administration State of Good Repair Project Descriptions". Federal Transit Administration. http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_12067.html.
- ^ "Albuquerque Official City Website". Modern Streetcar Project. http://www.cabq.gov/transit/modernstreetcar.html. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
- ^ Gisick, Micheal (2006-12-04). "Council: Streetcar project rushed". Albuquerque Tribune. http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/dec/04/council-streetcar-project-rushed/. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
- ^ "Mayor Richard Berry and ABQ RIDE Announce Study to Improve Bus Service". http://www.cabq.gov/transit/news/mayor-richard-berry-and-abq-ride-announce-study-to-improve-bus-service/. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
[edit] External links
- ABQ RIDE (Official Site)
