City Takes a Hardline on Transit Safety
ALBUQUERQUE – The City is firing all cylinders in its approach to transit safety. Efforts to crack down on criminal behavior include enforcing updated Rules to Ride, ramping up security, and having PSAs on city buses in areas with higher incident concentrations.
“Bad and criminal behavior will not be tolerated on our buses,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We are fighting to bring back a transit system we can feel comfortable with our loved ones riding on.”
This year the City refreshed its Rules to Ride and launched a marketing campaign to promote the rules including exhaustive signage at transit facilities.
Multiple safety partners play a critical role in reminding or reinforcing the Rules to Ride: 10 Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Police Service Aides (PSA) and 6 Transit Safety Officers, 2 24/7 Metro Security Division Officers patrolling the Alvarado Transportation Center and 4 Mobile Patrol Units, and more than 45 contracted observe and report security personnel.
“APD is taking intentional steps towards collaboratively cultivating positive perceptions and realities of public safety on our transit system,” said Commander Gerard Bartlett, “The Rules to Ride have been developed for ridership and Motorcoach Operator safety and must be followed.”
ABQ RIDE is proactively addressing incidents at bus stops so issues aren’t boarding the bus. Not every issue requires force; often security officers help connect the community to local resources, prevent potential issues, and assist with route directions.
“It’s time to respect and care for one another,” said Transit Director Leslie Keener, “With nearly 400 employees and over 500,000 passengers per month on our fixed route services, we expect people to follow the rules and will continue to implement new ideas including an initiative that will launch soon to give riders an instant and anonymous reporting mechanism.”
Updates to the Rules to Ride:
- No more eating and drinking – only drinks with closed, sealable containers
- No smoking including vaping and e-cigarettes
- No blocking the bus aisle with bags or items
New Rules in the Rules to Ride:
- No large carts
- No loud music
- No drug use
- No sleeping across multiple seats, taking up more than one seat is prohibited
- No littering
- No defacing property
- No abusive behavior
- General respect for each other
The City is also amidst a Long Range Security Study to address public safety with community-informed ideas and strategic long-term solutions.
“We hope these expanded transit safety efforts bring an increased sense of safety to our passengers, Motorcoach Operators, and the general public,” said Deputy Director Bobby Sisneros, “We’re taking back our transit system.”
Incidents can be reported to 311 or 243-RIDE. The community is invited to take the Long Range Security Study Survey before August 23, 2024. Find the Rules to Ride on ABQRIDE.com.