Rail Runner expected to make inaugural run to City Different on Dec. 12 (NM-Richardson's railroad)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | November 30, 2008 | Lloyd Jojola

[CedarDave]

Other than that Christmas Eve flight hauling gifts around the globe, perhaps there's no run more anticipated these days than the one set to start about two weeks from today. "This is the hottest ticket in town for the holidays, buddy," Lawrence Rael of the Mid-Region Council of Governments said. "Even Santa wants a ride." Mark your calendars: The Rail Runner Express commuter train's inaugural public run into Santa Fe is tentatively set to take place Friday, Dec. 12, with Wednesday, Dec. 17, expected to be the actual start of scheduled commuter service to and from the capital city.

Thus opens the second-phase corridor of the state's $400 million rail project, with service already in place between Belen and Bernalillo and stops in Los Lunas and in the Albuquerque area in between. In addition, the train's first station on American Indian land, at Isleta Pueblo, is scheduled to open this week.

But it's the northern leg of the two-year-old service that's been the most anticipated.

"It's historical in the sense that it is absolutely going to be a system that is going to serve New Mexico well into the future," said Rael, whose agency oversees Rail Runner operations and has managed implementation of the mass transit project. "We really have created a huge new mode of transportation for this state that really, I think, puts us well ahead of our neighboring states.

"Now people have a choice: You can either drive to Santa Fe, or you can take the train."

Based on 2005 statistics, some 38,000 vehicles a day traveled on Interstate 25 between the Duke City to The City Different — a number that was projected to climb to about 72,000 by 2025, according to numbers cited by the council of governments.

[CedarDave]

One of Richardson's last hurrah's here in New Mexico. A nearly half-billion dollar commuter railroad that will recover about 10% of its operating costs at the farebox with the taxpayer making up the difference (no one really knows how much). It was built in less than two years including up a 3.25% cliff to Santa Fe with little regard for environmental damage and by diverting funds from reconstructing the 1960's two-lane interstate highway along the route. During the morning commute it will serve mainly state employees who now travel in state-sponsored van pools, but the touristas will love it as it will take them directly to downtown Santa Fe. And the fare one-way will be $6 (the privately run airport shuttle costs $25; a "free" bus ride will take you from the downtown depot to the airport).

[CedarDave]

NM list weary taxpayer PING!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Nice for the East Coast Opera lovers....

[CedarDave]

They still have to get from the opera to the station — it’s an awfully long walk!

[Rogle]

Cedar Dave I have been told by my former colleges in the State House that ridership will only cover 1% of the operational and maintenance cost.

Otherwise NM Ping

[OneWingedShark]

Funny thing about DollarRunner is it only connects Albequrque to Sante Fe... forget the southern half of the state!

[CedarDave]

...ridership will only cover 1% of the operational and maintenance cost.

My God!! One percent??? I'm hoping that someone will audit their books and reveal the truth. Of course Richardson will be long, long gone by then. What a f****** legacy he's left us. Of course, just like the messiah, he will be remembered for all the wrong things.

[CedarDave]

Funny thing about DollarRunner is it only connects Albequrque to Sante Fe... forget the southern half of the state!

Actually Belen to Albuquerque to Bernalillo to Santa Fe. The Belen to Bernalillo segment was on existing tracks. However, the growth in ABQ is east-west, not north-south which is the way the tracks run.

BTW, the state is supposed to close the deal for the rest of the BNSF from north of ABQ (Lamy) to the Colorado state line on January 1, 2009.

[Rogle]

Just think on his way out the door he is going to give the state of the State address, what a slap in the face to Lt. Governor Diane Denish.

[greyfoxx39]

[CedarDave]

Just think on his way out the door he is going to give the state of the State address, what a slap in the face to Lt. Governor Diane Denish.

At least he isn't going to be able to pinch her leg or arm anymore (I wonder how his touchy-feely friendly pinches will go over in DC).

[CedarDave]

Great graphic!!

[rustyncrusty]

“In addition, the train’s first station on American Indian land, at Isleta Pueblo, is scheduled to open this week.”

Let me guess...near the casino and not the pueblo.

[HardStarboard]

I forget the exact numbers, but the State of Washington instituted two commuter links over regular rail tracks - I do remember that one of them(Seattle-Everett)required 375 million in running stock (equipment), not to mention operating (fuel & featherbedding) costs - and it was serving about 600 one-way rides a week @ about $6.00 a ride.

WA DOT's soulution to low ridership - authorize a doubling of the number of runs. Operating costs skyrocketed....ridership did too - a teensy weensy bit.

[Rogle]

Not to worry as he will do just fine. After all the DC bimbos put up with him before.

[CedarDave]

Let me guess...near the casino and not the pueblo.

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner!!

[DesertDreamer]

They still have to get from the opera to the station — it’s an awfully long walk!

And, it's uphill!

[GonzoII]

“Now people have a choice: You can either drive to Santa Fe, or you can take the train.”

Heh heh, I'll bet they keep driving. A good old gas tax will put them on that train! What ya think, Bill?