Frequently Asked Questions

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express operates seven days a week. 

• View the Weekday Schedule
• View the Saturday Schedule
• View the Sunday Schedule

Tickets can be purchased:

• Online 
• Though the mobile app (available for iPhone and Android)
• Onboard the train with cash, a debit or credit card (except American Express), Cash App, Apple Pay, and Google Pay

Find more information and purchase tickets on the How to Buy page.

Yes. You may purchase a PDF ticket for another person from our online ticketing. After purchasing and downloading the PDF ticket, you will need to email the ticket to the person you are buying it for; they can either print it out or show it to the ticket agent on their mobile device. 

1. Reduced fares are available to:

• Youth ages 10-17
• Seniors age 60 and over
• Students with a valid ID or proof of enrollment
• Medicare card holders
• People with disabilities who show:
  • An NM Motor Vehicle Department notification
  • A letter from doctor indicating disability (with exp. date)
  • An ABQ RIDE Honored Citizen Card
  • A Santa Fe Ride Card or Santa Fe Trails Half Fare Card

2. Children 9 and under ride free

3. Seniors 60+ free on Wednesdays

4. Active Duty Military and Veterans that show one of the following IDs ride free:

• VHIC or VA medical card
• Veteran’s ID (VIC card)
• Driver’s License with a veteran’s designation
• Department of Defense Active Duty & Dependent Military IDs
• NMRX Freedom Pass

The following ride free:

• Children 9 and under (children must be at least 10 years old to ride the train without a supervising adult)
• Seniors 60+ free on Wednesdays
• Active Duty Military and Veterans that show one of the following IDs:
  • VHIC or VA medical card
  • Veteran’s ID (VIC card)
  • Driver’s License with a veteran’s designation
  • Department of Defense Active Duty & Dependent Military IDs
  • NMRX Freedom Pass

Free onsite parking is available at all of the Rail Runner stations with the exception of Downtown Albuquerque and the Santa Fe Depot. Parking at Downtown Albuquerque and the Santa Fe Depot is available for a fee at adjacent parking facilities. 

Overnight parking is at your own risk. 

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

You can wait for the next regularly scheduled train or contact a local taxi or ride share company.

Click the Rider Alerts button at the top of the Rio Metro website. 

Visit the View Rider Alerts page on the Rio Metro website.

Sign up to receive text alerts for specific train routes and be notified of delays 20-25 minutes or longer. 

Follow us on Twitter @RioMetroAlerts to receive updates about train delays and other information. 

If a New Mexico Rail Runner Express (NMRX) train arrives at a platform more than five minutes late, personnel at key bus connections will be notified so that shuttles and buses can wait for the train.

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express shares its track with Amtrak and BNSF. At times, the two trains may meet up, whereby one of the trains must come to a complete stop to allow the other to pass in a safe manner. Other reasons for a delayed trains are heavy travel times, as people take more time to board. Train cars may experience mechanical issues, or undergo inspection, which may also cause delays. 

We apologize for any inconvenience these delays have caused and we continue to work toward a tradition of on-time performance. To ensure that you receive immediate notice of delayed trains, sign up for text alerts.

See the New Mexico Rail Runner Express holiday schedule for train service, or view the Rio Metro bus holiday schedule for Rio Metro bus service.

All Rio Metro and ABQ RIDE buses are fare free.

Most North Central RTD buses are fare free; there is a nominal charge for some routes.

Ride any Santa Fe Trails bus for free when you show the driver your valid Rail Runner printed or mobile ticket.

View the transit connections page for additional information. 

There are limited bus connections to and from the Albuquerque International Sunport. 

• View Rio Metro's airport connections page for more information on bus connections
• View the Albuquerque international Sunport Ground Transportation page for additional transportation options

Seats on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express are available on a first-come, first-served basis. On occasion, our seats do fill up to capacity. But you are welcome to stand in the aisle until a seat becomes available. Purchasing a ticket in advance does not guarantee a seat. We try to monitor passenger loads and add extra rail cars where they are needed.

There are several Santa Fe attractions within easy walking distance of the Santa Fe Depot Station such as:

• Famous Santa Fe Plaza
• Galleries
• Museums
• Restaurants
• Shops

There are also shuttles leaving from that station that will take you to area destinations. Those shuttles are free with a Rail Runner day, monthly or yearly pass. Read more about the Santa Fe Depot, connections and attractions.

Passengers are welcome to bring and consume food and beverages (excluding alcohol) on the train. Water fountains are available on the train for a drink of water or to fill personal reusable water bottles. Food and beverages are not available for purchase on the train.

At least one restroom is available on every New Mexico Rail Runner Express train. Longer trains will have more than one restroom.

Electrical outlets are available for passenger use at each of the tables on the train. Tables are located on the mezzanine and upper levels only. 

Bicycles, scooters, skis and other sporting equipment are welcome on the train at no extra charge. Please store your equipment in the designated storage areas. 

Bicycles / Scooters Allowed on the Train

• Electric bikes and scooters with sealed gel, lithium-ion, or NiCad batteries
• Folding bikes and scooters
• Single-seat bikes
• Bikes not exceeding 6 feet in length
• Bikes without any protrusions

Bicycles / Scooters NOT Allowed on the Train

• Gas-powered bikes/scooters 
• Bikes with lead acid batteries
• Mopeds, motor, tandem, recumbent, pull-along trailers, and three-wheeled bikes

The following items are prohibited on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express: 

• Alcohol
• Batteries with acid that can spill or leak. Batteries used in motorized wheelchairs or similar devices for the mobility-impaired are allowed.
• Canisters, tanks or other deices containing propellants. Oxygen equipment for medical reasons is allowed onboard with restrictions. 
• Explosives and flammables (incendiaries), including but not limited to fireworks, dynamite, gasoline, lighter fluid, and strike-anywhere matches.
• Gas-powered motorized vehicles, including but not limited to bikes and scooters. 
• Hazardous materials, including but not limited to corrosive materials, poisons, toxic substances, and radioactive materials. 
• Weapons and firearms, including but not limited to guns, ammunition, and realistic replica weapons.

Learn more about train conduct and etiquette

Children must be at least 10 years old to ride the train without a supervising adult. 

Pets are not allowed on Rail Runner trains. Service animals are allowed. View information and details on riding with a service animal.

If you leave an item on the train, please contact Customer Service at 505-245-7245 or 866-795-7245. 

Non-essential items are held for 30 days. Essential items, such as keys, IDs, wallets, phones, purses, etc. will be held for 90 days. If you find an item on the train, please turn it in to a ticket agent or conductor.

Rio Metro Customer Service office hours are:

• Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Contact Customer Service at 866-795-RAIL (7245) or 505-245-7245.

The Job Access Transportation Program provides transportation to and from job sites for qualifying individuals. Eligibility includes financial need based upon federal guidelines for individuals with a residential address in Bernalillo county.

To apply for Job Access, you must fill out an application for services and provide all of the requested supporting documentation to accompany your completed applications. There are a couple of ways you can apply:

• Call and make an appointment with a Job Access representative.
• Call and request an application be mailed, emailed, or faxed to you.
• If you are a TANF recipient, contact your CDS at your HSD office.

To qualify for Job Access:

• You must live in Bernalillo County.
• Your residence or employment location must be more than one quarter mile walking distance from the nearest ABQ Ride bus stop.
• The total gross household income must not exceed the 150% poverty level stated in the federal guidelines.

Transportation services run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

An applicant may qualify for a bus pass only if they first qualify for taxi cab service. TANF and Workforce participants qualify for bus passes. Please contact your agency representative for more information.

Yes, if you qualify for Job Access services you may add a childcare drop off to your route. 

Note: Only children five years or younger are eligible for childcare transportation.

Mail or Drop Off Your Application:

Rio Metro Regional Transit District
Attn: Job Access Transportation Program
809 Copper Avenue NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Fax: 505-247-1753, Attn: Job Access Transportation Program

Email: JAccess@mrcog-nm.gov 

By Appointment: 

• Contact a Job Access representative at 505-724-3623
• Appointments will be available at the Rio Metro Regional Transit District Office

• By Phone: Call 505-724-3623 to speak with a Job Access representative Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• By Appointment: Call to make an appointment. Appointments are available at the Rio Metro Regional Transit District Office, 809 Copper Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
• Representatives are not in the office on weekends or holidays

No, the Job Access program only provides transportation from home to a job site.

Riders pay $1 to $2 cash drop fare (based on a sliding scale) for each one-way ride with a meter reading of $20 or less. If the final meter reading is over $20, the customer pays the difference, in addition to the $1 to $2 cash drop fare.

Once you have been approved and added to the Job Access ridership, you are certified to use the services for six months. At the end of your six month service period, you may re-certify for services by filling out a recertification application.

Once the Job Access representative has received your completed application packet, the review process can take up to, but will never exceed, 30 calendar days. Approved riders may be subject to a waiting list due to funding availability.

You are responsible for collecting all proof documentation. Job Access is not responsible for collecting proof documentation for applicants. Job Access will not contact employers, human services representatives, or landlords for verification or to request proof documentation.

• Accepted forms of proof of earned income: 
  • Wages and salaries documentation: 2 consecutive pay stubs, letter from employer on company letterhead stating work hours per week, hourly wage and start date, copy of previous year's income tax return.
  • Earned benefits documentation: Most current award letter for long-term disability benefits and/or union strike benefits, monthly bank statement that includes unearned benefits received.
• Accepted forms of unearned income: Award letters from those agencies listed on the program application checklist.
• Accepted forms of proof of identification: Current government issued Drivers License or I.D. card.
• Accepted forms of proof of physical address: The proof of income or proof of identification with the address, a letter from human service agency, shelter, transition home, etc., or a hotel receipt.

The client may begin scheduling rides only after a Job Access representative has confirmed program approval with the client, and the client has been added to Ridership. Approved riders may be subject to a waiting list due to funding availability.

Visit the NM Workforce Connection Website for help in finding a job.

• ABQ RIDE for bus service within the city of Albuquerque
• The New Mexico Rail Runner Express for train services and shuttles from Belen to Santa Fe
• Rio Metro for regional bus and shuttle service

The New Mexico Resources website provides comprehensive information on many government-funded programs, including cash assistance, childcare, energy, housing, and additional low-income transportation programs.

Anonymity offers employees the option of bringing up a concern without any fear of retaliation. We want to know your concerns, so that we can help to find solutions.

We will post the results on the Rio Metro Safety page on the Rio Metro website (under the drop-down menu from the About tab at the top of the page), indicating:

1. When the report was received 
2. Who was assigned to investigate an answer/resolution
3. What is being done about it 
4. A timeline on when it will be addressed
5. When it is completed

A, B, C, D, E, and sometimes F.

Yes. Specifically, these situations involve placing someone’s life or livelihood in danger, false accusations, etc.

Reporting a close call will let us know about trends that are affecting you and others, such as unsafe motorists at a specific location, etc.