ABQ RIDE

History

What is now ABQ RIDE began in 1928 as the Albuquerque Bus Company. Before this, transit in the city was provided by an electric streetcar system, but it was forced out of business by declining ridership and expensive paving bills charged by the city government. City leader Clyde Tingley was a strong opponent of the streetcar system and led the effort to have it replaced with buses. The streetcar stopped running at midnight on December 31, 1927, and the bus company began operation the next morning. The company started with five White Motor Company buses and had four routes: Central Avenue, Fourth Street, Sawmill-Edith Street, and East Silver Avenue. ABQ RIDE still owns one of the original buses and uses it for special occasions.

By 1944, the company had 32 buses, 65 employees, and 37 mi of routes. Nine years later, in 1953, the route network had grown to 167 mi and there were 51 buses and 120 employees. But the company was not able to maintain profitability as private car ownership increased in the 1950s and 1960s, and in 1963, the Albuquerque Bus Company notified the city it planned to cease operation within a few months. In order to maintain service for bus riders, the city ultimately bought out the assets of the bus company and turned it into the city Transit Department. The official handover took place on February 1, 1965, with the city retaining all existing routes and equipment and most of the personnel.

The bus system operated under the name Albuquerque Transit System, and then Sun Tran starting in the 1970s. It adopted the current name, ABQ RIDE, in 2004, the same year the first Rapid Ride route began operating. In 2019, two of the three Rapid Ride routes were replaced with the Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) bus rapid transit system. The remaining Rapid Ride route was rebranded as ARTx in 2020.

In January 2022, ABQ RIDE launched a pilot program, eliminating fares on all of the agency's transit services for the year. The program, supported by a federal grant, was later extended to June 2023, and later September 2023. On November 9, 2023, fares were permanently eliminated on all ABQ Ride services.

In August 2022, ABQ RIDE launched their ABQ Ride Forward https://abqrideforward.com, starting with the Phase 1, which included the Existing Conditions Report and later in February 2023, the release of the outreach summary for Phase 1. During the same month, Phase 2 launched, which included two draft plan concepts, one which prioritized frequency and one which prioritized coverage. In August 2023, the outreach summary for phase 2 had also released. In May 2024, Phase 3 launched, which had replaced both draft networks with a Recovery Network, which combined concepts of both the Ridership and Coverage draft networks. A few changes were made to the Recovery Network before being made official in June 2025, with plans to implement the network in phases between Winter 2025 and Winter 2029.https://www.cabq.gov/transit/transit-programs-projects/abq-ride-forward/abq-ride-forward-implementation-schedule

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 and ART services.

ABQ RIDE fixed bus service operates four types of routes: Rapid Ride, regular, commuter, and BRT. Service times on each route may vary from every 15 minutes to every hour, but the system generally runs from 5:30 am until 6 pm, with some routes running later. A notable exception is route #66 which runs from 5:30 am until 12:30 am weekdays and Saturdays. Commuter routes only have a few run times during weekdays, usually towards Downtown Albuquerque or Kirtland AFB during the mornings and away from during the evenings. D-Ride service ended on May 12, 2018, and was replaced by various local routes, such as 12th Street/Rio Grande (routes #36 and #37) and Menaul (route #8). All inbound routes to the Alvarado Transportation Center, except route #66 and Rapid Ride routes, have a fare-free zone.

Routes 96, 155, 222, 250, 251, 551, and 790 are either partially or fully funded by the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG), and either service areas outside of Albuquerque's city limits, create connections to its Rail Runner Express stations, or supplement service on the expanding west side. Routes 10, 51, 53, and 54 are either partially or fully funded by Bernalillo County, since these routes largely serve the county's unincorporated areas.

In addition to its fixed route services, ABQ RIDE also operates a paratransit service called SunVan (known as Mini Ride from 2003 to 2006) that runs curb-to-curb service.

Routes

ABQ RIDE operates 20 regular fixed routes, 2 commuter routes, 2 Bus Rapid Transit routes.

Former Routes

• 3 Louisiana (replaced by Route 157; service on Louisiana, north of Montgomery discontinued due to low ridership)
• 4 San Mateo (replaced by 140/141 San Mateo)
• 6 Indian School Commuter
• 7 Candelaria Commuter
• 9 Coors/Gibson
• 12 Constitution Commuter
• 13 Comanche Commuter
• 14 Airport/UNM Loop
• 15
• 17 Rio Grande
• 18 Broadway/University/Gibson (replaced by Route 16)
• 21 Old Town Trolley (formerly the 25)
• 21/22 Nob Hill / Biopark
• 23 Nob Hill Express
• 24 Sun Trolley
• 25 Copper/Chico Sundial
• 26 Los Volcanes Circulator
• 27 Montaño & Coors
• 32
• 33 Uptown/Central
• 34 San Pedro Commuter
• 35
• 36 12th Street/Rio Grande
• 37 Rio Grande/12th Street
• 40 D-RIDE/Free Downtown Shuttle (replaced by fare free zones on most inbound routes to Alvarado Transportation Center on May 12, 2018)
• 52 Sunset/South Coors
• 55 Southwest Heights
• 90 Coors (replaced by 155/158 Coors)
• 91 Ventura Commuter
• 92 Taylors Ranch Express
• 93 Academy Commuter
• 94 Unser Express
• 95 Montaño/Jefferson Commuter
• 96 Crosstown Commuter
• 98 Wyoming Commuter
• 156 West Side Rapid Ride (Coors) (upgraded and changed to 790 Rapid Ride Blue Line)
• 158 Coors/Golf Course (Replaced by New Route 157)
• 162 Ventana Ranch Commuter
• 163 Taylor Ranch Commuter
• 217 Downtown-KAFB Limited
• 250 Free Downtown-Sunport Nonstop Express
• 456 West Mesa Shuttle
• 766 R.A.D. Rapid After Dark (Red Line Only)

Rates

Since 9 November 2023, fares were permanently eliminated on all ABQ Ride services. All rides are free.

Fleet

Current fleet

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 annunciator system. ABQ RIDE did not order the color LED destination signs for the 600 series buses, citing ongoing reliability issues, opting instead to go with orange LED signs.

All buses are also all equipped with a Clever Devices 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.

On October 4, 2010, the Federal Transit Administration approved a $3 million grant request from ABQ RIDE to provide money for bus replacement. On February 7, 2014, ABQ RIDE placed an order for 21 New Flyer Xcelsior XN40 CNG Buses, with deliveries starting in the middle of March. 17 of these buses will replace 17 of the 300 series buses, while the remaining 4 have been used to replace the last of the 400 series buses. 300 Series now operate the routes the 400 Series once did.

In January 2015, bus 617 and bus 747 were involved in separate accidents, resulting in the complete write-off of 747. 617 was repaired at the Yale Transit Yard, and returned to active service in early 2016. No one was seriously harmed in either accident, and both accidents were caused by other vehicles failing to stop at a red light.

The 600-series buses purchased in 2015 (622–641) all have open WiFi networks available for public use. In addition, they have a screen installed behind the driver that displays the current security camera feed from the camera looking down the aisle from the front of the bus.

Retired fleet (since 1965)

Other vehicles

In addition, the fleet comprises numerous smaller vehicles like the SunVan paratransit vans, and formerly, the Old Town trolley. CNG buses (300- and 600-series buses) and the 900-series buses operate out of the Yale Transit Department on 601 Yale Boulevard SE, while the 700-series buses, Rapid Ride buses (6400-series, 6600-series, and 6900-series), and the paratransit fleet operate out of the Daytona Transit Facility on Daytona Road near Unser Boulevard and I-40. Daytona operates seven days a week except on city-observed holidays. Yale operates on weekdays only. On May 1, 2015, the 900-series buses were moved temporarily to Daytona due to renovations at Yale; however, they went back to operating out of the Yale facility beginning October 19, 2015. The Yale Transit Department is now equipped with unleaded fuel to fuel shuttle cars.

Plans

Bus rapid transit service along Central

Main article: Albuquerque Rapid Transit

In November 2011, ABQ RIDE announced plans for true bus rapid transit service along Central Avenue. The service differs from the Rapid Ride based on the fact that it would be considered a true BRT service based on adding more aspects of BRT service such as a dedicated travel lane or queue jumps, platforms level with the bus floor, and off-board ticketing so that passengers can load at any door.

On March 24, 2014, ABQ RIDE demonstrated a New Flyer XN60, which was built for RTC in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was en route for delivery. This type of bus is one of the designs being explored for BRT service, and is the longer 60 foot version of the current XN40 buses being delivered to ABQ RIDE.

On May 15, 2014, ABQ RIDE introduced a new logo and paint scheme for the organization.

In October 2014, the City of Albuquerque unveiled conceptual designs for construction of Albuquerque Rapid Transit, a true BRT system including dedicated lanes, traffic signal priority, level boarding, and off-bus fare payment. Public input from meetings will allow engineering of the BRT system and redesign of the roads it will travel on.

Following delays from equipment problems, BRT service started in November 2019.

Uptown Transit Center

In October 2014, ABQ Ride also revealed plans for a transit-oriented development (TOD) on the site of the Uptown Transit Center. The land for the transit center was originally purchased with a grant from the FTA with the intent of someday building a TOD on the site. The plans call for a parking garage above the island where buses stop and will continue to stop, a building with retail on the ground floor and several levels of living units above that, and the possibility of a multi-generational center above the parking garage. These plans were created with the help of a public meeting earlier in 2014. ABQ Ride intends, with FTA approval, to enter into a partnership with a private developer for the actual construction and operation of the building.

Notes

• ABQ RIDE PHOTO ALBUM

References

1. (2013-01-11). "13 Million Passengers use ABQ RIDE in 2012".
2. (December 9, 1926). "City Commission Moves To Get Bus Lines Here". [[Albuquerque Journal]].
3. (January 1, 1928). "Doleful Clanging of Gong as George Roslington Drives Car on Last Trip—Into Oblivion". [[Albuquerque Journal]].
4. (January 1, 1928). "New Bus Line to Hire Local Men for Drivers". [[Albuquerque Journal]].
5. (February 4, 1928). "Permanent Schedules". [[Albuquerque Journal]].
6. "Our Department". City of Albuquerque Transit Department.
7. (December 1953). "Bus Company's Larger Fleet and Longer Routes Reflect Albuquerque's Growth". Albuquerque Progress.
8. (October 23, 1963). "Lecher Says Bus Must Meet Car's Challenge". Albuquerque Journal.
9. (November 20, 1963). "City Plans Bus Company Study; Firm to Quit". Albuquerque Journal.
10. (February 2, 1965). "Albuquerque Now Running Public Buses". Albuquerque Journal.
11. (February 14, 1965). "Official City Seal". Albuquerque Journal.
12. "ABQ RIDE Celebrates Golden Anniversary".
13. (2021-12-22). "ABQ Ride, Art and Sun Van will be zero fare as part of pilot project starting Jan. 1".
14. (2022-08-02). "Editorial: ABQ's free bus fares show promise; more security is needed".
15. (2023-11-16). "Zero Fares is Here to Stay; Albuquerque City Council passes permanent Zero Fare program".
16. (August 9, 2022). "Transit Existing Conditions Report, August 2022". ABQ Ride.
17. (February 2023). "February 2023 ABQ RIDE FORWARD NETWORK PLAN: Phase I Engagement Summary". ABQ Ride.
18. (March 2023). "Volume 2: Concepts Report February 2023". ABQ Ride.
19. (August 2023). "August 2023 ABQ RIDE FORWARD NETWORK PLAN: Phase II Engagement Summary". ABQ Ride.
20. (May 2024). "Volume 3: Recovery Network Report May 2024". ABQ Ride.
21. (June 2025). "Recovery Network Final Report June 2025". ABQ Ride.
22. "ABQ RIDE Implementing Route and Schedule Changes on May 12".
23. (2023-11-16). "Zero Fares is Here to Stay; Albuquerque City Council passes permanent Zero Fare program".
24. (2015-01-08). "City bus crashes into Albuquerque home".
25. (2015-01-08). "Bus crash video shows driver go through windshield".
26. Nicholls, Alan. (2008-08-13). "ABQ Bus Riders".
27. "Mayor Richard Berry and ABQ RIDE Announce Study to Improve Bus Service".
28. Garate, Jessica. (2014-03-24). "'Train-like bus' on display in ABQ". [[LIN Media]].
29. "ABQ RIDE Gets a Taste of Future BRT".
30. Scott, Damon. (2014-10-17). "Uptown Transit's mixed-use development moves forward".