UNM Student Associations Honor Mayor Berry and ABQ RIDE

Part of a News Conference Highlighting UNM's "Ride the Bus Week."

2/22/12

Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry and ABQ RIDE Director Bruce Rizzieri were honored by the University of New Mexico's undergraduate and graduate student governments on Wednesday, Feb. 22 as part of UNM's "Ride the Bus Week" Feb. 20-24. They were recognized for their contributions in providing transportation on ABQRide to current UNM students, staff, and faculty at no cost.

Also honored was State Representative Gail Chasey (D), Albuquerque for her initial contribution of getting money from the State Legislature to start the program in 2007.

The goal of the program is to reduce traffic, congestion, and carbon emissions by getting students to use transit to commute to UNM. Although state funding for the program is no longer available, the program continues through funding from various University sources and on-going collaboration with ABQ RIDE.

To participate, current students, staff, and faculty must prove eligibility and obtain a sticker that is placed on their campus identification card. When a student, staff, or faculty member wants to ride an ABQ RIDE bus, they simply show the bus driver the valid ID and sticker and they ride for free.

The ABQ RIDE bus pass program not only provides traffic reduction and sustainability benefits, but also assists students in accessing their education by providing an alternative to car ownership.