Rearview Reflections: ABQ RIDE’s Year in Review

ALBUQUERQUE – Improving rider experience and safety was ABQ Ride’s priority this year, and we made significant strides. The department presented its annual update to share departmental successes and challenges, along with sneak peek at what’s coming in the New Year to better serve bus riders, staff on the frontlines, and the general public who encounters the transit system daily.

With 12 divisions and over 360 staff, the City’s Transit Department is constantly on the go, transporting the community across Albuquerque, safely and free of charge.

“Just this summer we announced a layered approach to make transit safer for everyone, and the impact is already noticeable,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’ve made major steps towards a safer, cleaner, more accessible, and ultimately frictionless system for everyone who relies on our bus system to get around town.”

2024 Milestones:

• Launched ABQ RIDE Connect, a free microtransit pilot program to transport riders in two zones around the City in electric vans. Since its launch in March, there have been more than 8,000 boardings, 5,000 rider profiles created, and a review rating of 96% out of 100%.
• Completed the final phase of the ABQ RIDE Forward Plan, which is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reroute the City’s bus route network to make sense for Albuquerque today. With input from 3,000 members of the public, the new plan to be launched in 2025 will include more night and weekend service, along with an extension of ART coverage.
• Became the first City of Albuquerque department to conduct in-house CDL testing by the State of New Mexico to make new hire training more efficient, increase equity for applicants, and save employees thousands of dollars with free CDL training and testing. 17 trainees passed their CDL and are now on the roads or in the mechanic shop.
• Secured the system through a multi-layered approach to transit safety with a strong partnership with APD, Metro Security, and contracted safety ambassadors, along with extensive cleanliness initiatives including the repainting of bus shelters, new signage and ART station flooring, beautification improvements to the Alvarado Transportation Center, and more.
• Launched the See Say app for the public to report issues they see in the transit system if there is a violation on the updated Rules to Ride the bus.
• Welcomed 18 new compressed natural gas buses, 5 electric vans, 20 Sun Vans, and 4 new maintenance vehicles to the fleet.

Yvette Parras, a local Albuquerque Public Schools educator at Sandia High School shared her experiences taking special education students on the bus system twice a week to learn important life skills like using public transportation and communicating with the public. After graduating, many of her students may rely on public transportation as a free and accessible means of getting around Albuquerque.

“In special education, a lot of students suffer from not feeling included,” said Yvette Parras. “The main thing for these kids is safety, communication, and making them feel like they belong riding on a city bus. Like they’re just like anyone else in this town. After a lot of exclusion or not being counted, we feel counted on the bus. We feel counted and that we’ll have a safe ride where we’re going.”

One of the biggest drivers of the year’s productivity can be attributed to ABQ RIDE’s leadership and the cultural changes in the department. At today’s press conference, Transit Director Leslie Keener announced ABQ RIDE’s new mission statement of “providing clean, safe, and reliable transportation to the public” – centering the press conference around that theme.

“Bringing better service to the public starts from within,” said Transit Director Leslie Keener. “Not only are we working to fill our staffing gap for drivers and mechanics, but we are heavily focused on staff retention by fostering a supportive culture for staff through events like our first Bus Roadeo, enjoying a Thanksgiving meal together, hosting staff appreciation events, and we’re soon to launch an internal leadership and mentorship program.”

Looking forward to 2025, the public can expect to see an increased safety presence across the transit system to build upon the department’s work this year in partnership with the Albuquerque Police Department (APD).

“This year, the APD took its first-ever intentional steps toward collaborating with ABQ RIDE. We learned from motorcoach operators, staff, ridership, and others about experienced public safety pressures, developed a Transit Safety Section staffed by non-sworn safety personnel and Transit Police Service Aides to address violations of, "Rules to Ride," and bridged gaps in communication leading to more efficient operational responses and administrative partnerships,” said APD Commander Bartlett. “It’s critical to continue this collaboration for the betterment of ridership safety.”

“There is a visible change across the transit system and it’s getting noticed,” said Transit Deputy Director Bobby Sisneros. “The improved cleanliness and safety processes wouldn’t be possible without our safety partners: Transit Safety Officers, Police Service Aides, Metro Security, and contracted safety ambassadors – we are all working together to make the transit system safer every day.”

En Route for 2025

• New community-based safety and education programming.
• ABQ RIDE Forward phased implementation.
• Uptown Connect to break ground. The project will transform a large lot into a vibrant, mixed-use development featuring a mix of affordable and market rate apartments, retail, and a reimagined transit plaza.
• Long Range Security Study implementation.
• North Lobby activation of the Alvarado Transportation Center.
• Central corridor bus shelter replacement

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ABQ RIDE’s mission is to provide the community with safe, clean, and reliable transportation.