Just a little off-the-top-of-my-head math makes me wonder if the could have gotten the numbers right- $3.2Mil in fares with 4500 one-way passengers means they’re charging about $2.50 a trip one way.
Here in NYC we have hundreds of thousands of LIRR riders paying $250-$350 a MONTH to operate the system in an area where mass transit actually has some real benefits (traffic and parking here is insane)... and the LIRR still can’t seem to make any money. I just can’t see how on earth this New Mexico rail line can make any money.
Fares start at $2 one-way with an all day pass $3. Max fares from ABQ to Santa Fe (about 60 miles) are $7 one-way, $8 round trip. Discounts of course to seniors, students, handicapped, etc. A monthly pass is $100 ($90 if purchased on line). That averages out to $4 per day for a monthly commuter. Adding to the problem is that they are adding stations (including for the Indian pueblos) which has added about 30 minutes to the 60-mile ride. Obviously much faster on the adjacent interstate.
One bright spot (soon to be eliminated) is the weekend tourist traffic is booming as driving and parking in downtown Santa Fe is horrible. And the scenery on the train is spectacular (though photos of Indian pueblos through the train windows are prohibited). It is estimated that about 25% of the many tens of thousands who attended last summer’s Santa Fe Folk Art festival arrived by train. So this is the service to be cut. As one commenter in ABQ put it, they are eliminating the only reason most people in ABQ have to ride it.
Making money isn't part of the deal. They are just trying to keep it from losing even more millions. (Hint: shut it down and sell off the rolling stock.)