During the past two years, New Mexico has taken major steps toward establishing a commuter rail system linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Many cities have light rail systems to relieve highway traffic within the cities. Others have heavier rail systems, such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit that serves San Francisco Bay cities and towns. Demographics in New Mexico have not justified such a system and its heavy investment costs. It was predicted that rider totals would not make it a reasonable investment of taxpayer money.

As the decades have passed, property values within Albuquerque and Santa Fe have dramatically increased. These high prices of real estate combined with many buyers seeking more rural surroundings have caused more growth in the surrounding communities. Today, a large percentage of the Albuquerque workforce is living outside of the Albuquerque City Limits in Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, Bernalillo, Bosque Farms, Moriarty, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, Belen, and other communities or unincorporated areas. Many working in Santa Fe have experienced an even more dramatic increase in real estate values, forcing them to commute from the Albuquerque area. Of course, Santa Fe draws employees from other nearby communities, too.

The result of all of the commuting is that I-25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe suffers extreme traffic congestion the entire distance of approximately 60 miles between the two cities. In addition, I-25 and all of the alternate routes between Belen to the south and Bernalillo to the north are even more congested, especially during peak times. The communities to the east of Albuquerque cause I-40 to experience the same problems. Rising fuel prices and cost of vehicles and their usage have left many commuters questioning their savings to be living in the rural areas. Accident frequency and the additional delays such events cause can cost the commuters much time behind the steering wheels, in addition to the other costs mentioned above.

As part of Gov. Richardson's Investment Partnership (GRIP), the state of New Mexico, with federal assistance, has initiated the Rail Runner commuter rail system. The initial investment was for track and land between Bernalillo and Belen, purchased from BNSF Railway Co., and for five MP36PH-3C diesel locomotives from Motive Power Inc. (Boise, Idaho), each producing 3,600 horsepower, and 10 Bombardier bilevel passenger cars. The state is investigating the possibility of using biodiesel fuel to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

BNSF and Amtrak will continue to use the tracks and pay for that usage under an agreement that gives Rail Runner priority use of the tracks. There are to be no Rail Runner schedule delays caused by either BNSF freight schedules or Amtrak schedules. Late in 2006, there were a few delays to the Rail Runner due to dispatcher confusion at BNSF's dispatching center in Fort Worth, Texas. The priority for Rail Runner has since been reinforced, so this should not be a problem in the future.

Additional land was purchased as required for parking and other facilities. Terminal facilities had to be built and/or upgraded. The terminal facilities include large parking logs for the commuters' vehicles. Terminal facility upgrades and new construction were contracted to Twin Mountain Construction, and track upgrades were contracted with Herzog Transit Services.

Project funding is divided into two phases. Phase I from Bernalillo to Belen cost $135 million, which includes $75 million for locomotives and passenger cars, design and construction of stations, and track and signal improvements along the route. Also included is $50 million for purchase of right of way and existing track along that route as well as $10 million from Sandoval County designated for an additional train and station in Sandoval County.

The locomotives and passenger cars have distinctive paint schemes depicting a stylized roadrunner. The trains are designed to travel at 79 mph but are capable of running at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The trains are operated in a "push-pull" manner and not turned around at the end of each run.

There are nine terminal stations in Phase I, including the old Alvarado station that historically served AT&SF passengers for well over a century. These terminals, except for the Alvarado Station, are specifically designed for commuter use and are quite unlike terminals for Amtrak. The Amtrak terminals are designed to provide a degree of comfort and facilities for passengers who may have waiting periods between trains, have baggage check issues with their travels, and may have people meeting them on arrival or seeing them off on departure. The commuter train terminals, by contrast, are designed for passengers with no luggage and with very simple and rigid departure and arrival schedules. Also, commuters generally have no one meeting them at arrival or seeing them off on departure. For that reason, the commuter terminals are covered for sun and inclement weather protection but otherwise provide only the most basic facilities for seating, ticketing and restrooms. The structures also provide windscreens. The facilities are designed with good lighting and a lack of hiding spots to aid security for commuters.

The part of the first phase between Bernalillo and downtown Albuquerque, with stops along the way, was placed in service in August 2006 with a great deal of fanfare. Riders were allowed free usage for the first two months. This initiated the program very effectively, with many riders starting to use the system. User confidence was developed. The startup was broadcast to the public by all media, with reporters riding the trains and interviewing riders. The timing was very effective in getting the system running well before the International Balloon Fiesta started Oct. 6, 2006, as the Rail Runner handled some of the event's "park and ride" spectator traffic. This usage is anticipated to increase in future years.

Plans and preparations are under way to extend the service as far south as Belen, with several stops along the way. Service to Los Lunas was inaugurated in December 2006. The south route is the next segment to open and for which most of the construction has been accomplished. As new segments have opened, the system has provided a two-month free use period to encourage prospective commuters to try the service. The regular fares are $2 one-way, $3 daily round trip or $50 for a monthly pass. A special feature of the Rail Runner ticket is that it includes free rides on the Albuquerque Transit bus system to any regular stop in the city.

The Phase I terminals from north to south are: Sandoval County/US-550, Downtown Bernalillo, Sandia Pueblo, Los Ranchos/Journal Center, Downtown Albuquerque, Rio Bravo/Airport, Isleta Pueblo, Los Lunas, and Belen.

For the future, the service is to be extended to Santa Fe. Under Phase II, the system will be expanded to Santa Fe at a cost between $240 million and $255 million. Phase II will require the same purchase of existing track as well as significant right of way, construction of stations, and additional locomotives and passenger cars. This will require extensive track renovations along the mainline north of Albuquerque and an entirely new route into Santa Fe will be constructed. State Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught announced on Feb. 14 that the Interstate 25 median will be used to bring Rail Runner trains from Bernalillo to Santa Fe, concurring with the recommendation of the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The Santa Fe MPO recommended locating the tracks in the interstate median over a second alternative route that goes through the Santa Fe Community College District east of I-25.

"This decision is a critical step in the development of passenger rail service for citizens of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County," says Lawrence Rael, executive director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. "This helps us continue to move the project forward in a timely manner so that we can stay on course to get Rail Runner service into Santa Fe by the end of 2008."

As part of Rail Runner's "user-friendly" system, commuters can transport their bicycles onboard. This kind of approach is certainly making the system desirable for users. Utilization now is very high and with high user satisfaction. Every effort has been made to make the Rail Runner a success for the commuters. Only continued high levels of commuter utilization will prove the skeptics wrong and make the investment successful for New Mexico taxpayers.

For further information, visit www.nmrailrunner.com.