Ride Rio Metro Blog

Santa Fe National Cemetery Visitation Project Pilot Program

Posted on November 15, 2023 - Over the past year, Rio Metro recognized the families and loved ones of those who served with a pilot program transporting seniors from Albuquerque-area senior centers to the Santa Fe National Cemetery and back. The Santa Fe National Cemetery Visitation Pilot Program took place in April, May, and June 2023. A collaboration between Rail Runner Operations, the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Senior Affairs, the City of Santa Fe’s Senior Services Division, and the Santa Fe National Cemetery, it provided seniors residing in Albuquerque with the opportunity to visit their loved ones interred at the National Cemetery.

Day of the Tread: Walk, Bike, Dress Up, Have Fun!

Posted on October 18, 2023 - Day of the Tread is a lively and fun walking and biking event for people of all ages. Taking place October 28-29, 2023, this unique Halloween/Day of the Dead themed event was created to connect youth and families with movement and activity.

With several events of varying lengths, including the Rail Runner 12-mile Family Fun Ride and the new Bone Shaker Gravel Grinder, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy!

A Day in the Life of a NMRX Engineer

Posted on September 20, 2023 - It’s usually dark when Jerome Armijo arrives at the railyard in Downtown Albuquerque. The first thing he does is get into uniform – a blue collared polo shirt and hat. Then he heads over to the crew room. Armijo, a Locomotive Engineer for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, often starts his day at 3:30 a.m. He arrives at work a full hour early to perform inspections, safety checks, and more to ensure the train is safe and ready for passengers on that early morning run. Continue reading for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes for a Rail Runner Engineer to get passengers to their destination safely and on time each day.

Guiding Seniors and their Caregivers to a Better Tomorrow: The Vital Role of Care Navigation

Posted August 16, 2023 - As the golden years of life approach, seniors and their caregivers often find themselves facing a complex maze of healthcare options, social services, and emotional challenges. Senior.One empowers seniors and their caregivers by facilitating direct connections to senior living communities and senior focused services. Through personalized guidance, stress reduction, access to resources, empowerment, and a holistic approach, Senior.One is not just a company – it's a lifeline for seniors and caregivers navigating the complexities of aging with grace and dignity.

Ways to Beat the Heat Using Public Transit

Posted July 19, 2023 - This summer has been HOT, and it looks like the high temperatures aren’t going away any time soon. To help you keep cool and stay entertained this summer, we’ve put together some ideas of how to beat the heat using public transportation.

Learn about some of the cool locations you can visit by taking the Rail Runner to the Santa Fe Railyard, how to take in the fresh mountain air using the NCRTD Mountain Trail Route bus, and more!

Celebrating 17 Years of Service!

Posted on June 21, 2023 - The New Mexico Rail Runner Express began commuter rail service in central New Mexico on July 14, 2006. To commemorate next month’s 17-year anniversary, we put together 17 fun facts about the train, such as how long it takes for the Rail Runner to stop, how many customer inquiries we handle per week, and how long it would take a roadrunner to run the entire length of the Rail Runner corridor.

Train, Bus, Bike - A Cycling Journey

Posted May 18, 2023 - In early May, Thomas Kopler and his wife Barbara Mickelson, residents of Colorado, visited New Mexico to work toward their goal of parallel biking the Great Divide Trail one state at a time. Their journey included traveling with their bicycles on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express and North Central Regional Transit District Blue Buses, and riding approximately 180-miles.

Kopler worked with Rio Metro Customer Service Representative Lisa Sedillo to help plan the transit portion of the trip, including train schedules and bus connections.

Transit Partner Highlight: Santa Fe Trails

Posted April 12, 2023 - The New Mexico Rail Runner Express connects to many buses along the 100-mile rail corridor between Belen and Santa Fe. This month, we’re highlighting transit partner Santa Fe Trails, which operates buses throughout the City Different.

Get the latest news on the Santa Fe Pick-Up Shuttle, learn how make a bus connection from the Rail Runner to the Santa Fe Plaza and Meow Wolf, and more.

Rio Metro's G2 Team Goes the Distance

Posted March 15, 2023 - Rio Metro's Facilities and Maintenance Crew, the G2 Team (short for Go To Team), keeps the New Mexico Rail Runner Express stations and parking lots, as well as all Rio Metro bus stops, clean and safe for passengers. “It’s not a glamour job, but we enjoy it,” says Crew Supervisor Yosh Akutagawa.

Read the full post to learn about the G2 Team and how they work tirelessly to maintain passenger safety at our stops and stations.

Job Access Transportation Program: A Success Story

Posted February 8, 2023 - Transportation can be a major barrier to employment. Rio Metro’s Job Access Transportation Program (Job Access) was developed to overcome transportation obstacles and help people get work or retain employment.

Albuquerque resident Fabian Chavez is one of the most recent Job Access success stories. Learn about how his participation in the program helped him save up enough money to take care of his own transportation needs.

18 Fascinating Facts About the Rail Runner

Posted January 12, 2023 - In the past 16 years of service, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express has become one of the state's notable icons with its sweeping stylized roadrunner on the outside.

Did you know that there have been nine movie or TV productions filmed on the Rail Runner? Or that a former local TV anchor was married on the train? Check out our latest blog to read some fun facts and learn more about the Rail Runner and the service it provides.