Moving the City Bus Network Forward
ALBUQUERQUE – Today kicks off the third and final phase of community outreach for the ABQ RIDE Forward Plan to re-envision the City’s bus route network.
This comprehensive project is guided by Jarrett Walker + Associates, a world-renowned Portland-based consultancy specializing in public transit. Over the last two years, the City and Jarrett Walker + Associates have collaborated with Bernalillo County, Rio Metro Regional Transit District, who both provide funding for some routes, as well as many other stakeholders and members of the public to analyze the current bus network, gather public input on route considerations, and propose an updated network.
“ABQ RIDE is moving forward,” said Transit Director, Leslie Keener. “Not only are we catching up to return to pre-pandemic service levels, we are evolving our route network to meet the needs of Albuquerque today.”
“Your voice is a key component to ensuring our city transit maintains the safest, most convenient rider experience possible,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “With microtransit options, zero fares, and our successful bus stop safety operations, we continue stepping up so that our families who rely on the system are to be able to live their lives to the fullest.”
The Draft Recovery Network is now available for public feedback. The public can attend community meetings, pop up events at major transit locations, and fill out a survey on the proposed network before August 31. Community meetings will take place on Wednesday, July 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Alvarado Transportation Center, 100 First St. SW, and virtually on July 23, from noon to 1 p.m., here.
“ABQ RIDE Forward has been fueled by community feedback every step of the way,” said Transit Principle Planner, Andrew de Garmo. “Our team has worked hard to ensure the public’s voiced goals of high ridership and high coverage concepts are balanced in the proposed route network to present the best transit system we can with our current resources.”
The “Recovery Network” incorporates community feedback from Phase 1 and 2 of community outreach to provide more weekend and evening service, less peak-only commuter routes, an extension of ART routes, and more.
ABQ RIDE Forward Plan:
- Existing Conditions Report – Summer 2022
- Phase 1 Public Engagement – Fall 2022
- Design of Network Concepts – Winter 2022-2023
- Phase 2 Public Engagement – Spring 2023
- Draft Recovery Network Proposal – Spring 2024
- Phase 3 Public Engagement – Summer 2024
- Revision and Final Recovery Network – Winter 2024
- Recovery Network Phased Implementation –starting Summer 2025, through the next two years depending on staffing levels
Contact the project team staff by emailing [email protected] and take the survey before August 31, 2024. Proposals, reports, event information, and FAQs can be found on www.abqrideforward.com.
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ABQ RIDE strives to be the first choice in transportation services for the Albuquerque Metropolitan area. By using this alternative to the single-occupant vehicle, riders are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate traffic congestion while building a strong, resourceful, and sustainable community.