The Association of American Railroads ( AAR ) is an industry trade group representing primarily the major freight railroads of North America ( Canada , Mexico and the United States ). Amtrak and some regional commuter railroads are also members. Smaller freight railroads are typically represented by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), although some smaller railroads and railroad holding companies are also members of the AAR. The AAR also has two associate programs, and most associates are suppliers to the railroad industry.
39-405: Sources The New Mexico Rail Runner Express ( AAR reporting mark NMRX ) is a commuter rail system serving the metropolitan areas of Albuquerque and Santa Fe , New Mexico . It is administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and the Rio Metro Regional Transit District (Rio Metro), a regional transportation agency, while Herzog Transit Services currently holds
78-664: A contributing factor for the shortfall. Supporters of Rail Runner funding note that roadways and other infrastructure for passenger cars also operate at a deficit, requiring government funding for construction, operation, and maintenance. The capital costs of the Rail Runner project were covered by state and local funds. Funding for operations of the system in its first few years was covered largely by federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program funds, along with ticket revenues and some state and local funds. Operational costs were expected to rise from $ 10 million for
117-494: A cumulative total of 227 passengers made use of Lobo, the game-day train service was discontinued and the station abandoned. Ridership continued to increase through 2010, reaching a peak of 1.24 million passengers annually (4,000 on an average weekday). Since then, passenger numbers have continued to decline year-over-year to a low of under 750,000 in 2019. Government analysts blamed the drop in ridership on low gas prices, infrequent service, and long travel times, and recommended that
156-496: A maximum of five rail cars, correcting a problem that arose with other stations along the route concerning inadequate space for passenger cars. The parking lot offers some sheltered parking structures, as well as bicycle lockers. Bus bays have been created to accommodate current transit service to the station and allow for expansion of bus service to the Montaño Transit Center at an undisclosed future date. The transit center
195-787: A number of smaller shuttle services serving the Rail Runner: a shuttle to Socorro and through Belen serves the Belen station, Los Lunas Public Transportation serves the Los Lunas station, the Sandoval Easy Express serves the two stations in Bernalillo, the University of New Mexico has a dedicated shuttle connecting its main campus to the Downtown Albuquerque station, a shuttle to Taos serves
234-535: A rail yard in downtown Albuquerque near the Alvarado Transportation Center . [REDACTED] Media related to New Mexico Rail Runner Express at Wikimedia Commons Association of American Railroads AAR was created October 12, 1934, by the merger of five industry-related groups: William George Besler was its first President. The AAR is headquartered in Washington, D.C. , not far from
273-533: A seating capacity of 141 passengers, The livery of the New Mexico Rail Runner depicts a stylistic roadrunner on the locomotive and trailing tailfeathers on the coaches. The "door closing" tones resemble the signature “Beep-Beep” of the Warner Bros. Road Runner cartoon character. Trains operate in a push-pull configuration, with the locomotive always facing south. When not in use, the vehicles are stored in
312-501: A three-month period of free service for Santa Fe County residents and three weekends of free service for the whole system. The original 2005 projected ridership for a slightly different (but similar speed) Phase II route to Santa Fe was 2,954 daily riders. During the first full week of train service between the two cities, more than 33,000 passengers boarded. On the second Saturday of service to Santa Fe, nearly 12,000 people boarded trains between Belen and Santa Fe. Weekend service, which
351-411: Is a play on the name of New Mexico's state bird , the roadrunner . The cars and locomotives were received throughout the year of 2005 and groundbreaking for the first Rail Runner station took place on October 31, 2005. During this time the state also conducted negotiations with BNSF over the use of the railroad track. After assessing the needs of the track, the state of New Mexico committed to purchasing
390-557: Is a station on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line on Montaño Rd. between Edith Blvd. and Second St., in Albuquerque, New Mexico . The station opened on April 7, 2014, marking the end of construction of the Montaño Transit Center. The station platform and shelters were built in pueblo-revival style, and features green technology, such as LED lighting and solar panels. The platform itself can accommodate
429-543: Is designed to link residents in the north valley neighborhoods to both ABQ RIDE and the Rail Runner, and to relieve overcrowded parking lots at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center station. Starting January 11, passengers can transfer to ABQ RIDE route 157, which serves both Cottonwood and Coronado malls, and Kirtland Air Force Base . The station is also served by the NMDOT Park and Ride Purple route. Each of
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#1732849072801468-537: Is provided for some events like the New Mexico Wine Festival; connecting bus shuttles run for the Balloon Fiesta . The cost of Rail Runner tickets is distance-based, with six fare zones. The Rail Runner operates on a 96.5-mile (155.3 km) north–south corridor, which parallels Interstate 25 . The southern 74.2 miles (119.4 km) from Belen through Albuquerque to CP Rael (northwest of Los Cerrillos )
507-513: Is the first station beyond the original 13 planned stations to reach the construction stage and was built using stimulus funds. On September 12, 2009, a special events platform opened for Lobo games service only. At the end of March in 2014, the Rail Runner added security officers to the system. Officers are charged with protecting the trains, inspecting fares, and addressing issues at the stations and parking lots. They are required to wear and use lapel cameras during incidents. Construction of
546-464: The Amtrak Southwest Chief ). An additional station, Lobo Special Events Platform station , is unused. Most stations have bus connections, including NMDOT Park and Ride shuttles (at Downtown Albuquerque, NM 599, and South Capitol), ABQRide at four stations (including Albuquerque Rapid Transit at Downtown Albuquerque), and Santa Fe Trails at the two Santa Fe stations. There are also
585-865: The Capitol . Its information technology subsidiary, Railinc , is based in Cary, North Carolina . Railinc IT systems and information services, including the Umler system, the Interline Settlement System and Embargoes system are an integral part of the North American rail infrastructure . Railinc delivers approximately nine million messages each day over its EDI network, including transportation waybills , advance train consists, blocking requests and responses and trip plans. Its applications support railroads, equipment owners and rail industry suppliers along every link of
624-717: The Transportation Technology Center , a 52-square-mile (130 km ) facility 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Pueblo, Colorado , owned by the United States Department of Transportation . The facility is under a care, custody and control contract with the Federal Railroad Administration . TTCI has an array of specialized testing facilities and tracks. The site enables testing of freight and passenger rolling stock , vehicle and track components, and safety devices. Where appropriate,
663-500: The high cost of gas , Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced in July that the reduced fares would be extended until the end of 2022. In addition, two round trips would be added on August 1 as part of a revised schedule focused on all-day frequency rather than traditional commuter service. The cost of the Rail Runner system was $ 135 million for the first phase and around $ 250 million for the second phase. Preliminary estimates indicated that
702-530: The supply chain . The company maintains the only industry-accepted version of the North American railroad industry's official code tables. Beginning as an information technology department within the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the company was established as a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of the AAR in 1999. Another subsidiary, the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), operates and maintains
741-400: The AAR represents its members' interests to the public at large and to Congress and government regulators in particular. The AAR works to improve the efficiency, safety and service of the railroad industry, such as through its responsibility for the industry's interchange rules and equipment specifications, e.g. for locomotive multiple unit control . One of the AAR's duties is to oversee
780-465: The Downtown Albuquerque, Los Ranchos, and Sandoval County stations. On December 11, 2006, the Los Lunas station opened, and on February 2, 2007, the Belen station opened, extending the line to its southern end. In April 2007, two more stations opened: Bernalillo County/International Sunport on the 20th and Downtown Bernalillo on the 27th. On December 17, 2008, the Isleta Pueblo station opened. Phase II,
819-399: The Los Lunas and Belen stations opened with free service, ridership rose to around 1,800 passengers per day. Free service on the Belen section of the line ended April 1, 2007, and a new zone fare structure went into effect. During the summer of 2007, ridership averaged 2,500 passengers per day. By April 2008, weekly ridership was 9,600. On December 17, 2008, service to Santa Fe started with
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#1732849072801858-692: The New Mexico State Legislature. The Environmental Assessment for Phase II considered placement of a station between Cerrillos Road and Richards Avenue in the I-25 median; it concluded that there was not yet enough demand, but recommended that it be considered for the future. A station near the Las Soleras development was studied in 2010. An extension northward to Taos was proposed in the state legislature in 2009. An extension south to Las Cruces and El Paso has also been proposed. A memorandum to study
897-565: The Rail Runner carried 4,122 passengers. During the initial free period, ridership averaged 4,000 to 4,500 riders per day with a one-day peak of 6,000 riders. Ridership gradually declined during the weeks of free service. Ridership averaged 2,500 to 3,000 riders per day in August 2006, and 2,100 to 2,500 riders per day in September 2006. In November 2006, free service ended on the line's Sandoval section, and ridership fell to 1,000 passengers per day. When
936-499: The Santa Fe Depot and South Capitol stations, and Santa Ana Pueblo , Isleta Pueblo , and Pojoaque Pueblo each operate shuttles connecting their casinos to the nearest Rail Runner station. The Rail Runner power includes nine MotivePower MPI MP36PH-3C diesel-electric locomotives , thirteen Bombardier BiLevel Coaches and nine Bombardier BiLevel Cab cars . Coach cars have a seating capacity of 151 passengers while cab cars have
975-728: The Santa Fe Depot stations. A third station at the NM 599/I-25 interchange in Santa Fe County opened on August 1, 2009. After the opening of the Phase II stations, several more stations opened. Sandia Pueblo station, serving Sandia Pueblo , opened on August 29, 2011. The last planned station in Bernalillo County, the Montaño station, officially opened on April 7, 2014. Kewa Pueblo station, serving Santo Domingo Pueblo , opened on March 22, 2010. It
1014-621: The assignment of reporting marks – two to four letter codes that uniquely identify the owner of any piece of railroad rolling stock or intermodal freight transport equipment ( trailers , semi-trailers , containers , etc.) that can be carried on a railroad. In November 2013 the AAR urged the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to press for improved tank car safety by requiring all tank cars used to transport flammable liquids to be retrofitted or phased out, and new cars be built to more stringent standards." Monta%C3%B1o (Rail Runner station) Montaño
1053-521: The base of La Bajada, a hill south of Santa Fe. It then runs on newly built track on a new right-of-way from CP Madrid, for five miles and then in the I-25 median into Santa Fe, at CP Hondo, where it uses an improved Santa Fe Southern Railway track from I-25 to the terminal at the Santa Fe Railyard. Two of the planned stations for the Phase II extension opened on December 17: the South Capitol and
1092-499: The contract for the operation and maintenance of the line & equipment. Phase I of the system, operating on an existing right-of-way from Belen to Bernalillo that NMDOT purchased from BNSF Railway , opened in July 2006. Phase II, the extension of the line to Santa Fe, opened in December 2008. Daily ridership, as of February 2019, was 2,200 trips per day. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 584,400, or about 2,800 per weekday as of
1131-551: The effort, and the New Mexico State Legislature passed Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership (GRIP), a transportation improvement package with the Rail Runner included as one of the bill's projects. Over the next few years, NMDOT and the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) developed a strategy for implementing the rail service. In 2005, a name and a branding scheme was chosen. The name “Rail Runner”
1170-416: The extension of the line to Santa Fe, opened for service on December 17, 2008. Using the existing Santa Fe Southern Railway track from Lamy to Santa Fe, which is filled with sharp curves, would have required the train to slow to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) in some places, so new tracks were laid to allow travel times comparable to the automobile. The route uses previously existing track from Bernalillo to
1209-560: The feasibility of such service was introduced in the state legislature in 2009, and was amended to study Las Cruces-El Paso service, but failed to pass in the New Mexico Legislature. A federal house resolution was introduced by Congressman Harry Teague in May 2009 to study the concept, but did not get out of committee. On service between Albuquerque and Bernalillo, fares were initially free to attract ridership. On its first day of service,
New Mexico Rail Runner Express - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-466: The first phase to $ 20 million after completion of the second phase. Federal funding for the Rail Runner was expected to stop in 2009. Two separate gross receipts taxes for regional transit were approved by voters in central and north-central New Mexico in November 2008 to cover a large portion of the operational funds of the Rail Runner. Additional funds also come from bond revenue and money appropriated by
1287-969: The platform at the Zia Road station, the last of the four planned stations for Phase II, was completed several years in advance of the station's opening in April 2017. Rail Runner service was suspended from March 2020 until March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . During the suspension, Rio Metro continued to run empty trains along the route in order to maintain readiness of the vehicles and crew. Weekday service resumed March 8, 2021, and full service resumed May 24, 2021. By April 2022, daily ridership had returned to 60% of pre-pandemic levels. To attract new riders, Rio Metro announced it would slash fares by 75%—daily passes priced at $ 2.50 and monthly passes at $ 27.50—from April 18 through July 31. During this period, average ridership increased about 88% to over 1,500 boardings per day. Citing
1326-559: The railroad corridor from Belen to the New Mexico-Colorado border from BNSF (although, thus far only the portion between Belen and Lamy, NM has been purchased), to ensure that commuter trains would always get the right-of-way and have priority over freight trains in the corridor. While the engines are capable of 110 miles per hour (180 km/h), the track limits the maximum speed to 79 miles per hour (127 km/h). The Rail Runner officially went into service on July 14, 2006, serving
1365-407: The service would operate at a deficit , requiring up to $ 10 million in government funding annually. In late 2007, the Rail Runner was the subject of more criticism as a transportation funding shortfall left many state road projects stalled. State officials said the rising cost of construction materials and decreased federal support were the cause, but some lawmakers cited the cost of the Rail Runner as
1404-803: The state focus on making the service more competitive with car travel. It was also suggested that service to the Downtown Bernalillo station be reduced or eliminated due to low ridership. Normal weekday service has eleven round trips: four Santa Fe–Belen round trips (one express), four Albuquerque–Belen round trips, and three Santa Fe–Albuquerque round trips. Saturday service has five northbound trips (four Belen–Santa Fe and one Belen–Albuquerque) and six southbound trips (three Santa Fe–Belen, two Albuquerque–Belen, and one Santa Fe–Albuquerque). Sunday service has three northbound trips (all Belen–Santa Fe) and four southbound trips (two Santa Fe–Belen, one Albuquerque–Belen, and one Santa Fe–Albuquerque). Additional service
1443-473: The third quarter of 2024. The concept of passenger rail serving the Central New Mexico corridor had been discussed for decades, but it was not until August 2003, when New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced that his administration was going to pursue the implementation of commuter rail service, that a serious effort got underway. Later that same year, grants were given to NMDOT and MRCOG to begin
1482-901: Was formerly the BNSF Glorieta Subdivision and is shared with BNSF freight trains. The 17.9 miles (28.8 km) from CP Rael to CP Blewett (south of Santa Fe) largely runs in the median of Interstate 25. The northern 4.4 miles (7.1 km) into downtown Santa Fe is shared with the Santa Fe Southern Railway . Rail Runner has 15 active stations: ten in the Albuquerque metro area, two serving Kewa Pueblo and rural areas of Santa Fe County, and three in Santa Fe. All have single side platforms 260 feet (3 cars) to 500 feet long except for South Capitol (which has two side platforms) and Downtown Albuquerque (which has longer island platforms for
1521-452: Was to be discontinued after the first three weekends of service to Santa Fe, was instead partly retained, with permanent Saturday service. Ridership for the first few weeks of Santa Fe service averaged about 5,000 riders per day, then dropped to an average of around 4,000 riders per day for the month of January 2009. For four months in 2009, Rail Runner operated game-day trains to sporting events to Lobo Special Events Platform station . After
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