Since the state began commuter rail service more than two weeks ago between Albuquerque and Bernalillo, there have been more than 50,000 passenger boardings, the Albuquerque Journal is reporting today.
That’s a surprisingly impressive number.
The state has spent an ungodly massive $400 million on the rail project and, intentionally or not, the
That made the rail a politically hot potato, and was a large reason there were so many critics of funding for the spaceport in this year’s legislative session.
Gov. Bill Richardson took some hits, but he insisted the rail would benefit the state, and pleaded for people to give it a chance.
The jury’s still out, but the early results are better than most predicted.
The state is averaging 4,500 to 4,700 riders per day. Some routes are at capacity.
The state is set to expand the service south to Belen in 2-3 months and to
There’s a really big asterisk here: The service is currently free. There’s no cost for the first three months. Will people still ride when they have to pay?
If gas prices keep rising (and they will), maybe. Several people the Journal interviewed Tuesday said they will.