ABQ RIDE

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ABQ RIDE is the local transit agency serving Albuquerque, New Mexico. ABQ RIDE operates a variety of city bus routes including the Rapid Ride BRT service. The name "ABQ RIDE" and a new logo depicting the Alvarado Transportation Center clock tower were chosen in a contest, replacing the previous name, "Sun Tran". The current ABQ RIDE color scheme is red, white, and gold, though most of the existing fleet wears the previous red, white, and turquoise livery.

Service

The ABQ RIDE system includes routes on most of the city's major streets as well as commuter routes that ferry workers between residential areas and the city center. Most east-west routes and commuter 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 has a circulator route for downtown Albuquerque, the Downtown Get Around (dubbed the D-Ride), with service every seven minutes.

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 Rapid Ride during the summer months which provides their 'Rapid After Dark' service that extends until 3 am on Friday and Saturday evenings.

ABQ RIDE also operates a paratransit service called the Mini Ride that runs curb-to-curb service.

Routes

Routes operating on weekdays and weekends

Routes operating on weekdays and Saturdays

Routes operating on weekdays only

Fares

Fare category Standard Fare 20 Fare Tokens Monthly Pass
Adult US$1.00 US$20.00 US$28.00
Student (Age 5 - High School) US$0.35 US$7.00 US$12.00*
Senior (65+) & mobility impaired US$0.35 ? US$12.00
UNM/CNM Students Free** N/A Free**

*Middle school and high school students must have a valid school ID. A class schedule is also required for CNM students.
**Requires valid UNM/CNM ID with ABQ RIDE sticker. Class schedule must be shown to obtain sticker. ABQ RIDE sticker valid for one year.

In addition, there are other discounted pass options available, such as quarterly, semi annual, and annual passes. A single child under age 5 rides for free, but the fare for each additional child under age 5 is $0.35. The fare for ABQ RIDE's paratransit service is $2 One-Way, with 10 paratransit fares for $18.

A two to three hour transfer, which can be used on all bus routes, is included in the fare. Exact change is required when boarding buses.

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.

Fleet

Current fleet

Number Year Model Length Engine model Engine type Farebox Enunciator Garage Comments
101-110 1989 TMC
RTS T80206 		40 ft Detroit Diesel
series 6V92TA 		Diesel GFI
CENTSaBILL 		No Westside
(Unser/I-40) 		To be replaced by New Flyer DE40LFRs
Exit from service: Early 2008
201-248 1989 TMC
RTS T70206 		35 ft Detroit Diesel
series 6V92TA 		Diesel GFI
CENTSaBILL 		No Westside
(Unser/I-40) 		To be replaced by New Flyer DE40LFRs
Exit from service: Early 2008
301-340 1996 Neoplan
AN440A Disabled access 		40 ft Cummins L10G CNG GFI
CENTSaBILL 		Yes ** Southside
(Yale Blvd) 		First buses with wheelchair lifts
** Added in 2004
401-435 2001 Thomas Built
SLF 200 Disabled access 		32 ft Cummins
B-Gas Plus 		CNG GFI
CENTSaBILL 		Yes Southside
(Yale Blvd) 		First low floor buses
First buses to include enunciator system
402-404 used on D-Ride
436 2001 Thomas Built
SLF 200 Disabled access 		36 ft Cummins ISB Diesel GFI
CENTSaBILL 		Yes Westside
(Unser/I-40) 		Diesel version of the SLF 200
Features a rear window
6401-6412 2004 New Flyer
DE60LF Disabled access 		60 ft Caterpillar C9 /
Allison Hybrid 		Diesel-electric
hybrid 		GFI
CENTSaBILL 		Yes Westside
(Unser/I-40) 		Used on Rapid Ride
Low floor
Features a signal-priority system
6601-6606 2007 New Flyer
DE60LF Disabled access 		60 ft Caterpillar C9 /
Allison Hybrid 		Diesel-electric
hybrid 		GFI Odyssey Yes Westside
(Unser/I-40) 		Similar to the 6400-series, but with modified
windows, emergency exits,
and air recirculation systems
Features a signal-priority system
701-733 2007 New Flyer
DE40LFR Disabled access 		40 ft Cummins ISL /
Allison Hybrid 		Diesel-Electric
hybrid 		GFI Odyssey Yes Westside
(Unser/I-40) 		701-733 currently in service
Features restyled front end,
frameless windows, and video screens
Features a signal-priority system

Currently in delivery

Number Model Length Number ordered Engine model Engine type Farebox Enunciator Garage Notes
734-758 New Flyer
DE40LFR Disabled access 		40 ft 58 Cummins ISL /
Allison Hybrid 		Diesel-Electric
Hybrid 		GFI Odyssey Yes Westside
(Unser/I-40) 		Entry into service:
November 2007 - January 2008

The 58 New Flyer DE40LFR buses will be used to replace the aging TMC RTS (100 and 200 series) buses, which lack wheelchair lifts. This will ensure that the ABQ RIDE fleet is 100% wheelchair accessible. Most of the 100 and 200 series buses will be scrapped after retirement, but some will be kept for other community uses[1]. ABQ RIDE also intends on replacing the GFI CENTSaBILL fareboxes with the newer GFI Odyssey vailidating fareboxes on all 300-, 400-, and 6400-series buses.

In addition, the fleet comprises numerous smaller vehicles like the Mini Ride paratransit vans and Old Town trolleys. CNG buses (300-series and buses 401-435) operate out of the Yale Transit Facility on 601 Yale Blvd. SE, while most of the 100-series, 200-series, Rapid Ride buses (6400-series and 6600-series) and bus 436 operate out of the West Side Transit Facility near Unser Blvd. and I-40.

Future Plans

The city currently has plans to add a streetcar connecting Old Town, Nob Hill, UNM and eventually the city's airport.[1] 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.[2]

Gallery

  • A 6400-Series New Flyer DE60LF bus, used on the Rapid Ride.
    A 6400-Series New Flyer DE60LF bus, used on the Rapid Ride.
  • One of the 200-Series buses at the Alvarado Transportation Center.
    One of the 200-Series buses at the Alvarado Transportation Center.
  • A 300-Series Neoplan AN440A with original green flipdot signs approaching downtown.
    A 300-Series Neoplan AN440A with original green flipdot signs approaching downtown.
  • Several of ABQ RIDE's 400-series buses outside the Yale garage.
    Several of ABQ RIDE's 400-series buses outside the Yale garage.
  • One of three 400-Series buses specially wrapped for the free D-Ride route.
    One of three 400-Series buses specially wrapped for the free D-Ride route.
  • A 700-Series bus in Downtown Albuquerque.
    A 700-Series bus in Downtown Albuquerque.
  • One of ABQ RIDE's paratransit vehicles.
    One of ABQ RIDE's paratransit vehicles.

Notes

  1. ^ "Albuquerque Official City Website". Modern Streetcar Project. Retrieved December 9, 2006.
  2. ^ Gisick, Micheal (December 4, 2006). "Council: Streetcar project rushed". Albuquerque Tribune. Retrieved December 13, 2006.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ABQ_RIDE&oldid=188092133"