Albuquerque Rapid Transit

In 2004, the City of Albuquerque began operations of its first Rapid Ride line, as a precursor to a light rail system along Central Avenue. The plans for light rail were disbanded, and the Rapid Ride became a permanent system, expanding to three different lines in 2006 and 2009. Studies to build a rapid transit system using either buses or streetcars also took place in 2006, but no action was taken.[7] Although the Rapid Ride is a limited stop express bus service, it lacks several key features of BRT, such as dedicated travel lanes and off-bus fare payment. The first line opened, and ran from Unser to Wyoming, then going to the Uptown Transit Center. A second Rapid Ride opened in 2006 to the northwest side, and the Rapid Rides were given color designations, the 766 Red Line and the 790 Blue Line. In 2009, the third Rapid Ride, the 777 Green Line, started service from Downtown to Tramway Boulevard. The Red and Green Line Rapid Rides were designed to supplement the heavily traveled 66 bus which travels from Tramway Boulevard to Unser Boulevard, as well as transport passengers to popular destinations.

In 2011, the City of Albuquerque began a feasibility study of creating a true BRT system along Central Avenue.[7] The Plan calls for the elimination of the current Rapid Ride routes, and the placement of a new system utilizing new buses, dedicated travel lanes, transit signal priority, and off-board fare collection. Central Avenue, also known as Historic US Route 66, is not only a popular tourist destination, but a major surface artery through Albuquerque. This street made the plans for starting a transit oriented development scheme a good starting point.

In February 2014, the city filed for federal funding to construct the proposed BRT system,[8][9] and the federal government approved the filing in March.[10] Later that month, the City presented a demonstration bus to the public to generate interest in the project.[11] In October, The City presented its final draft and alternative analysis to the public in a series of meetings.[12] The current design calls for both mixed-use lanes and dedicated Bus lanes, depending on the location. Except for a few stations near downtown, stations will board in the median, and the buses will have doors on both sides to accommodate the platforms. East of Louisiana Boulevard and west of Coors Boulevard, ART will share travel lanes and use existing Rapid Ride stops. The path will follow the existing 66 bus route to Unser Boulevard.[13][14][15]

The proposed route includes several variations on bus priority lanes, including dedicated lanes, bi-directional lanes, and reversible lanes. Lane configuration is based on street width and location. Areas such as the neighborhoods adjacent to downtown have little room for road expansion, so single lanes will be used. Early materials depicted ART making a stop at the Unser Transit Center (CUTC) before continuing to 98th St., but has since been amended to depict the CUTC as the western terminus. According to the BRT standard, published by the Institute for Transportation Development Policy, ART will achieve a gold rating upon completion, the highest offered. ABQ RIDE is expected to complete its preliminary design by March 2015, with construction to begin in May 2016. ART is expected to cost $119 million, with federal funds covering $100.6 million (about 84%) of the project.[16] As of March 2016, the city has also promised to consider a 20th stop within the International district, but have not yet announced where that stop will be put or how it will be paid for.[17] In April 2017, it was decided that the 20th stop in the International District will be located at San Pedro and Central, with funding provided by the city councilor of that district.[18]

There are plans to create other BRT systems throughout the Albuquerque metro, by various organizations such as ABQ RIDE and the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG). Studies being conducted include an intersecting BRT system on University Boulevard from Menaul Boulevard to the airport,[19][20] and another BRT system on Paseo Del Norte.[21][22]

There have been no public announcements on what will happen to the existing 24 Rapid Ride buses. Some indications include starting Rapid Ride service on San Mateo Blvd. The path used by the 766 Red Line from Central & Louisiana to the Uptown Transit Center will remain as it is now with buses using the existing stops. This will also remain the case for Central east of Louisiana and west of Coors Blvd.[23]

Presently, only the 66 bus travels the length of Central Avenue, except from Unser to 98th street, which is served by route 198. The 777 Green line only travels from Downtown east to Tramway, and the 766 Red Line starts at Unser and travels east, but turns north on Louisiana to Coronado Mall. The 790 Blue Line serves passengers from the northwest side to UNM.

ART received a recommendation for $69 million in federal funding as part of the proposed FY 17 budget and anticipates the start of construction in May 2016 pending FTA approval to spend local funds.[24]

Opponents of the ART project filed suit in April 2016 to stop construction from going forward, but both the U.S. District Court and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant a temporary injunction against the project, allowing the city to proceed while the case was pending.[25][26][27] In September 2016, local contractor Bradbury Stamm was awarded an $82.6 million contract to build the ART system. Construction was scheduled to last 16 months, with a completion date near the end of 2017.[28] Work began in October 2016, starting with the removal of medians and landscaping to make room for the new bus lanes.[29] In December, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the city, finding no legal grounds to stop the project.[30] The suit against the city was subsequently dropped, ending a nearly year-long legal battle.[31]

During construction, businesses near the ART route complained that the project was impacting their business, and some were forced to close or cut back on staff.[32][33] In April 2017, the city announced a short-term loan program aimed at helping small businesses survive the construction.[34]

ART went into limited service on November 25, 2017, providing free trips to and from the Albuquerque BioPark for the River of Lights event.[4][35] However, incoming Mayor Tim Keller alleged there were major problems with the system. Keller held a press conference where he detailed what he claimed were numerous issues with the electric buses and charging equipment supplied by BYD Auto. Even though the buses were approved by city inspectors, and Buy America auditors, other problems with the ART system emerged. Primarily, city inspectors found flaws in the construction of the ART route. Chief among the problems were improperly built platforms and unusual new lanes, crossings, etc. Deficiencies were also found in some of the buses.[36] The River of Lights service was suspended after Keller's administration learned that a stopgap solution of charging the buses using portable generators could potentially void the warranty. In a statement on January 9, Keller called ART "a bit of a lemon" and said he was not sure when it would be operational.[5]

On January 22, crews began work to resolve some of the issues with the ART stations.[37]

On November 8, 2019, Mayor Keller announced that ART service would begin on November 30, 2019 to coincide with "Small Business Saturday." Buses were unveiled displaying bus-wraps featuring local landmarks and artwork. The Mayor stated that the previously identified issues to the system have been remedied and went on to announce that rides on the ART System would be free through December 31, 2019 to encourage the public to try the new system. [38]