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The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is a commuter rail system serving the metropolitan area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It began operation on July 14, 2006. The system is in Phase I of planed development, operating on an existing BNSF Railway right of way from Belen to Bernalillo. Phase II, scheduled to open in 2008, will extend the line northward to Santa Fe.
Rolling stock, which includes MPI MP36PH-3C diesel-electric locomotives and Bombardier BiLevel Coaches, has already been delivered, and groundbreaking for the first Rail Runner station took place on November 1, 2005.
The name "Rail Runner" is a play the name of New Mexico's state bird, the roadrunner. The association with the road runner is meant to evoke images of rapid movement. Interestingly, the name is almost identical to that adopted in 1990 by an Albuquerque-based model railroad club, the New Mexico Rail RunNers.
Stations
Phase I of the commuter rail line includes nine stations. From north to south, they are
- Sandoval County/U.S. 550
- Downtown Bernalillo
- Sandia Pueblo
- Los Ranchos/Journal Center
- Downtown Albuquerque (Alvarado Transportation Center)
- Rio Bravo/Airport
- Isleta Pueblo
- Los Lunas
- Belen
Phase II
Various alternatives are under consideration for the extension of the line to Santa Fe. Using the existing BNSF track, which is filled with sharp curves, would require the train to slow to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) in some places, so new tracks will need to be laid to produce travel times comparable to the automobile.
Justification
The Central New Mexico corridor, which is home to half the state's population, is anchored by Santa Fe (the state capital) and Albuquerque (the largest city and economic hub). The two cities are connected by a single four-lane interstate highway, I-25, and a two-lane country road, New Mexico State Route 14. Within the Albuquerque metro area, northern Rio Rancho and the urbanized parts of Valencia County are separated from Albuquerque by Native American Pueblos. In fact, there are seven Pueblos along the entire corridor, making the addition of new roadways or the expansion of current capacity unlikely.
The high real-estate prices in Santa Fe mean that many of the people who work there must commute from Albuquerque or Rio Rancho. Furthermore, the capital is home to many of the state's cultural institutions and tourist attractions, and most out-of-state visitors are forced to make the 60-mile journey from the Sunport by car. Commute times are expected to increase 80% on some routes by 2025, making the introduction of additional forms of transportation a priority to local governments.
Criticism
Critics of the Rail Runner system believe that funds would be better spent widening Interstate 25 between Santa Fe and Tramway Boulevard in Albuquerque and also widening I-25 south of the Albuquerque International Sunport to Belen. Preliminary estimates indicate that the service will operate at a deficit, requiring up to $10 million in government subsidies annually.
External links
"New Mexico Rail Runner Express"