10,000th Rider Milestone for ABQ RIDE Connect
ALBUQUERQUE – ABQ RIDE Connect delivers its 10,000th ride to the community. The City’s free microtransit service is a public transportation solution that efficiently moves the community across areas with limited bus service to support the ‘last mile.’
“We’re continuing to bring new and innovative options for people to connect from doorstep to destination,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This milestone shows our microtransit service is gaining popularity, serving as a flexible on-demand alternative to get where you need to go.”
ABQ RIDE Connect consists of a fleet that operates five electric vans operating from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. The service runs similarly to rideshare services like Lyft or Uber.
“Microtransit has proven to be a great fit for Albuquerque!” said Transit Deputy Director Michael Davis. “The community has taken to this service and is using it as we had hoped – to take their families to school, get to medical appointments, shop at grocery stores, and enjoy local recreational activities like parks, Old Town, Explora, and the ABQ BioPark.”
The Pilot Program is successfully achieving its performance goals established prior to the program launch on March 18, 2024. Marketing campaigns have successfully driven more than 6,000 app downloads, 96% of riders who rated their experience gave the service a thumbs up, the average number of passengers per hour is 2.3 (goal is 2-4.3), and rides are successfully connecting the community to important nodes in the transit system.
In celebration of the increasing popularity and usage of this service, ABQ RIDE celebrated Dustin Jade, the 10,000th ABQ RIDE Connect rider. Dustin had the opportunity to meet with Transit leaders and received a free pizza from Dominos on Sage Rd. and movie tickets for AMC Albuquerque 12 on Las Estancias Way – locations he can enjoy via the ABQ RIDE Connect Service.
“It’s been helpful to save money on gas and wear-and-tear on my truck,” said Dustin Jade, who uses the service to get to his job at Circle K in the Southwest Mesa Service Zone. “In comparison to riding the bus, these vans are smaller with fewer passengers. I’m glad the City [created this service] and I hope they continue and expand it!”
Fast Facts on ABQ RIDE Connect:
- 6,250 rider profiles created
- 300 average weekly boardings
- Average wait time is about 10 minutes
- 82 average miles per ride; 28,200 total miles covered since launch
Download the ABQ RIDE Connect app and learn more about this pilot program on ABQRIDE.com.
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ABQ RIDE’s mission is to provide the community with safe, clean, and reliable transportation