December-February 2011 Xpress New Mexico Rail Runner Express Magazine

8/3/2019 December-February 2011 Xpress New Mexico Rail Runner Express Magazine

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XpressNew mexico rail ruNNer express magaziNe

December-FebruarY 2011-2012

The SanTa fe new Mexican www.SanTafenewMexican.coM


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Ride the Rail RunneR to Buffalo thundeR fReeMonda Fda:9:05AM, 11:15AM, 12:55PM, 3:55PM, 6:05PM, 8:25PM, 10:25PM

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DEC-MAR 2011-12 | XPRESS 3

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Xpress | DeC-MAr 2011-12

SAN T A

FE

THE RAILYARD

WWW.RAILYARDSANTAFE.COM

S A N TA F E S

N E W P L AC E T O ME E T

The Railyard is where Santa Fe comes to

meet friends and neighbors, shop at

New Mexicos largest farmers market

and other unique stores, have a great

meal, see thought-provoking art,

experience live performances,

or just relax and PLAY.

Photo credit: Jennifer Esperanza


5/27

XpressNew mexico rail ruNNer express magaziNe

Published by The Santa Fe New Mexican with The New Mexico Rail Runner Express

over photo Siss hw ccks im f w is f wdi m p i Dcm 2006.

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86-3093, [email protected]

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DvertISIngdisi dic tm hd, 986-3007

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DvertISIng SaleSMic bd, 995-3825g bs, 995-3861

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Webii dm h M. lzww.sfwmxic.cm

DDreSSoffic: 202 e. Mc S.

s: 8 .m.-5 .m. Md-Fiddisi ifmi: 505-986-3082i: 505-984-0363, 800-873-3372 cis f is mzi, c 428-7645 mi [email protected].

publ ISheD D eC. 7, 2011

Features

16 The Rail Runner: Its creation, itsimpact and its future.

20 Preparing for the worst: A disasterexercise unfolds.

23 Get Going: A special edition for thewinter months

25 Take the train to Taos? We show

you how.

In every Issue

06 Welcome

08 Fares

10 Weekday schedules

12 Readers, riders write

13 Weekend schedules

14 Route map and Connections

24 Crossword puzzle (answers page 26)

26 All Aboard: Meet Nicole Trujillo

erNie moNtoya

DeC -Mar 2 0 1 1 -1 2 | XpreSS 5


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6 XP R E S S | D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

R E A D A L L A B O U T I T O N B O A R D T H E R A I L R U N N E R E X P R E S S

ERNIE MONTO

WHY THE RAIL RUNNER

MAKES A DIFFERENCEIn this issue of Xpress magazinewe invite you to explore the question Why the Rail Runner? Well delveinto issues such as why it was started in the first place, what traffic is projected to look like in the next 25years, how many vehicles have been taken off the road since train service began, how many accidents havebeen prevented because of the Rail Runners existence, and much more.

We will also update you on our full-scale Rail Runner emergency exercise that involved first responders from all over the region.Finally, if you are looking for that winter fun getaway, find out how the train can take you all the way to Taos! And thats just oneof our more than 60-plus connections throughout the 100-mile corridor.

You will also notice that fare changes for the Rail Runner are set to go into effect after the first of the year.

Running a public transportation system is a delicate balancing act between keeping our operating costs reasonable and providingthe convenient and efficient service our passengers have come to know. We appreciate all of the supportive emails and commentswe have received from our loyal passengers, and we want you to know that we look forward to many many years of continuedcommuter rail service on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.

Thanks for your support,

Dewey V. CaveExecutive DirectorMid-Region Council of Governments


7/27


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8/27

8 XP R E S S | S E P T - N O V 2 0 1 1

Look for these new fares in the new yearZONE-BASED FARES

Check thewebsiteor give us a call forthe latestfare information.

COMINGIN

866-795-RAIL (7245) www.nmrailrunner.comCustomer Service Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5am-8pm Sat. & Sun. 9am-5pm

Rio Metro Regional Transit District is committed to its Title VI obligations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin in the delivery of service.

To obtain more information on our nondiscrimination obligations or to file a Title VI complaint, contact us at 809 Copper Avenue NW, ABQ, NM 87102.

Santa Fe Depot

Santa Fe Co. / NM 599

Zia Road

Santa Fe Co. / US 550

Downtown Bernalillo

Kewa Pueblo

Los Lunas

South Capitol

Belen

Downtown Albuquerque

Bernalilo Co. / Intl Airport

Isleta Pueblo

Los Ranchos / Journal Center

MontaoNMRXstation

future

Sandia Pueblo

SYSTEM MAP

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR FARE

Step 1: Count the number of zones

Count the number of zones through which you will travel.

Step 2: Pick the type of fare you need

Do you want a one-way ticket, a day pass, or a monthly or

annual pass? Are you eligible for a reduced fare?

Step 3: Check the chart below and see how much your fare is

REDUCEDFARESAREAVAILABLETO


9/27


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10/27

1 0 XP R E S S | D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

Effective August 29, 201WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

Northbound NMRX Weekday Schedule

TRAIN STATIONS

Belen

Los Lunas

Isleta Pueblo

Bernalillo County

Downtown ABQ

Los Ranchos / JC

Sandia Pueblo

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandoval / US 550

Kewa

SF County / NM 599

South Capitol

Santa Fe Depot

4:00A

4:18A

4:36A

5:11A

5:11A

5:28A

5:33A

3:55A

4:15A

4:27A

4:42A

4:57A

5:02A

5:11A

5:15A

5:35A

5:58A

6:18A

6:22A

5:22A

5:32A

5:45A

5:52A

6:03A

6:18A

6:23A

6:32A

6:36A

6:56A

7:19A

7:39A

7:43A

6:43A

6:54A

7:07A

7:14A

7:24A

7:39A

7:44A

7:53A

7:57A

8:17A

8:40A

9:00A

9:04A

8:20A

8:31A

8:43A

8:51A

8:58A

9.35A

9:50A

9:55A

10:03A

10:08A

10:28A

10:51A

11:11A

11:15A

3:30P

3:41P

3:54P

4:01P

4:20P

4:35P

4:40P

4:48P

4:53P

5:13P

5:36P

5:56P

6:01P

5:46P

5:56P

6:11P

6:24P

6:42

7:00P

7:06P

7:20P

7:25P

7:43P

8:06P

8:26P

8:30P

6:56P

7:07P

7:19P

7:27P

7:34P

5:35P

5:50P

5:55P

6:03P

6:08P

6:28P

6:51P

7:11P

7:16P

READDOWN

#516 #518 #502#500

PURPLEPURPLE

SHUTTLE #504 #506 #508 #510 #514#512

5:49A

5:53A

6:11A

6:35A

6:54A

6:58A

7:07A

7:12A

7:26A

7:34A

7:42A

7:54A

8:05A

7:10A

7:14A

7:32A

7:56A

8:15A

8:19A

8:28A

8:33A

8:47A

1:02P

1:07P

1:26P

1:44P

2:03P

2:07P

2:16P

2:21P

2:37P

2:45P

2:52P

3:05P

3:15P

4:30P

4:38P

4:45P

4:58P

5:08P

4:10P

4:15P

4:34P

4:52P

5:11P

5:15P

5:24P

5:29P

5:45P

5:52P

6:01P

6:17P

6:27P

5:25P

5:30P

5:49P

6:07P

6:26P

6:30P

6:39P

6:44P

6:57P

7:04P

7:11P

7:24P

7:34P

6:40P

6:45P

7:04P

7:22P

7:41P

7:45P

7:54P

7:59P

8:12P

Southbound NMRX Weekday Schedule

TRAIN STATIONS #501 #5 03 #505-B#505-A #507 #509 #511 #513 #515 #517 #519

Santa Fe Depot

South Capitol

SF County / NM 599

Kewa

Sandoval / US 550

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandia Pueblo

Los Ranchos / JC

Downtown ABQ

Bernalillo County

Isleta Pueblo

Los Lunas

Belen

4:32A

4:40A

4:48A

5:00A

5:11A

5:21A

5:29A

5:37A

5:49A

6:00A

6:25A

6:37A

6:49A

7:09A

7:27A

5:46A

6:04A

6:22A

Train arrives but does not continue.0:00

Service provided by Rio Metro bus.

Means train does not stop.

Shown are departure times, unless otherwis

Shown are departure times, unless otherwis

New MexicoRail RunnerExpress

Reading The Schedule

1. Decide whether you are going

north (at top) or south (at bottom).

2. On the left-hand side, find the station

from which you are leaving.

3. Read across to find the times the

Rail Runner departs from that station.

4. From there, read down to find what

time the Rail Runner will arrive at the

station to which you are traveling.

Departure Routes for 500 Purple,

505A, 505B. Use bus bay N

Legend

Downtown ABQ

866-795-RAIL (7245) www.nmrailrunner.comCustomer Service Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5am-8pm Sat. & Sun. 9am-5pm

Pleasenote: schedule subject to change. Checkwebsite for latestscheduleinformatio


11/27



12/27

TRAI N O F THO UGHT

Riders: What the Rail Runner means to us

A TRAIN TO LITTLE PERSIA

In one hour, the Rail Runner will take me to Little Persia. Youdidnt know that Albuquerque had such a place?

Maryam was born in Iran, and lived there for 20 years beforemoving to Albuquerque. When she did move, she joined themore than 5,000-strong Persian community already living in theDuke City. I am lucky to be dating such an interesting person,and thanks to the train, I dont mind the commute.

Also, the train is so much more romantic than driving! Thisevening I will be sure to sit on the west-facing, upper deck tosee the sunset. Then I will get some tea on Central Avenue and

wait for Maryams nursing shift to end. Thats better than arrivingstressed-out from the drive through Interstate 25 construction ...Thats why I take the train.

CAMERON HAIGHT

SANTA FE

AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Visiting friends and family from out of state who think NewMexico is an ignorant backwater are always thrilled and amazedwhen we take them aboard the Rail Runner from Rio Rancho toSanta Fe.

Picking up speed northbound from the U.S.-550 station, we

squirm and laugh in the childish delight of being aboard a train.Views of the distant bluffs along the Rio Grande, the placid SantaAna Pueblo farms, the ghostly trading post at Santa Domingo all showcase the true richness of our state.

A totally different scene unfolds around the Santa Fe Railyardas we walk from the Depot to the Plaza. An afternoon among thecafs, museums and shops leaves us pleasantly tired for the triphome. As we ride south, the suns trip across the sky has cast thefamiliar landscape in a different light golden hills, long shadows,purple mountains. Its New Mexico as we know it, as it can onlybe seen by rail.

And the presence of a modern light rail system in a sparselypopulated state tells our out-of-town visitors that, in New

Mexico, the future is now.

CHERYL EVERETT

RIO RA N C HO

A STRESS-RELIEVER

We live in Los Alamos New Mexico and started riding the RailRunner as soon as it began service from Santa Fe. Unfortunately,am divorced and since we moved to Los Alamos for work six yearago, I was responsible for getting the kids safely to Albuquerqueand picking them up every other weekend. So down we wouldgo Friday from Los Alamos to Albuquerque and I would returnhome that evening to make the same round trip on Sunday. Thisis routinely a five-hour trip.

I do not like driving on Interstate 25. Traffic moves too fast andis very congested at these times, and I never felt safe (I would eve

have panic attacks sometimes). I waited impatiently for the arrivaof the Rail Runner. Once it arrived, it dramatically reduced mystress! For the first year-and-a-half, I would drive to Santa Fe andhop on the train with the kids and ride down to Albuquerque, sethem off and hop back on. Not only did I not have to drive on thinterstate, but I also was able to catch a few Zs along the way!

Now, my kids have reached an age that I feel comfortablesending them on the train alone, so I take them to Santa Fe(someday I will put them on the bus in Los Alamos that drops ofat the train station in Santa Fe). They get on the train and I canenjoy some shopping or a bite to eat.

The train has made a significant difference in my life, fromreducing stress, increasing the safety of my children, and saving

money and gas/wear and tear on my vehicle for more than 400miles per month. I would also like to mention that the staff isalways friendly and is usually the same. Even though we onlyride every other week, we are often remembered. That, to me, isgreatly appreciated.

LAURA JOHNSTONE

LOS A LA MOS

12 XP R E S S | D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2


13/27

D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2 | XPR ES S 13

Effective November 5th, 2011 through April 1st, 2012WINTER WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Pleasenote: schedule subject to change. Checkwebsitefor latestscheduleinformation.

866-795-RAIL (7245)www.nmrailrunner.com

Independance Day - July 4, 2011 Thanksgiving Day - November 24, 2011

Day After Thanksgiving - November 25, 2011 Christmas Day - December 25, 2011

News Years Day - January 1, 2012 Memorial Day - May 28, 2012

NO SERVICE DAYS

HOLIDAY SCHEDULENorthbound NMRX Holiday Schedule

TRAIN STATIONS

Belen

Los Lunas

Isleta Pueblo

Bernalillo County

Downtown ABQ

Los Ranchos / JC

Sandia Pueblo

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandoval / US 550

Kewa

SF County / NM 599South Capitol

Santa Fe Depot

READDOWN

#702 #704 #706 #708 #710

Southbound NMRX Holiday Schedule

TRAIN STATIONS #701 #703 #705 #707 #709

8:52A

9:03A

9:16A

9:23A

9:33A

9:48A

9:53A

10:02A

10:06A

10:26A

10:49A

11:09A

11:14A

1:35P

1:50P

1:55P

2:04P

2:08P

2:28P

2:51P

3:11P

3:16P

9:05P

9:16P

9:29P

9:36P

9:46P

4:05P

4:16P

4:29P

4:36P

4:46P

5:01P

5:06P

5:15P

5:19P

5:39P

6:02P

6:22P

6:27P

6:11P

6:22P

6:35P

6:42P

6:52P

7:07P

7:12P

7:21P

7:25P

7:45P

8:08P

8:28P

8:33P

8:00A

8:08A

8:16A

8:29A

8:39A

12:14P

12:19P

12:38P

12:56P

1:15P

1:19P

1:28P

1:33P

1:49P

1:57P

2:05P

2:18P

2:28P

3:28P

3:33P

3:52P

4:10P

4:29P

4:33P

4:42P

4:47P

5:00P

5:08P

5:16P

5:29P

5:39P

6:41P

6:46P

7:05P

7:23P

7:42P

7:46P

7:55P

8:00P

8:13P

8:21P

8:29P

8:42P

8:52P

9:00P

9:05P

9:24P

9:42P

10:01P

10:05P

10:14P

10:19P

10:32P

Day After Christmas - Dec. 26, 2011

Day After New Years - Jan. 2, 2012

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Jan. 16, 2012

EFFECTIVE FOR WINTER HOLIDAYS LISTED BELOW ONLY:

READDOWN

Santa Fe Depot

South Capitol

SF County / NM 599

Kewa

Sandoval / US 550

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandia Pueblo

Los Ranchos / JC

Downtown ABQ

Bernalillo County

Isleta Pueblo

Los Lunas

Belen

Northbound NMRX Weekend Schedule

TRAIN STATIONS

Belen

Los Lunas

Isleta Pueblo

Bernalillo County

Downtown ABQ

Los Ranchos / JC

Sandia Pueblo

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandoval / US 550

Kewa

SF County / NM 599

South Capitol

Santa Fe Depot

READDOWN

#702 #704 #706

8:52A

9:03A

9:16A

9:23A

9:33A

9:48A

9:53A

10:02A

10:06A

10:26A

10:49A

11:09A

11:14A

4:05P

4:16P

4:29P

4:36P

4:46P

5:01P

5:06P

5:15P

5:19P

5:39P

6:02P

6:22P

6:27P

9:05P

9:16P

9:29P

9:36P

9:46P

Southbound NMRX Weekend Schedule

TRAIN STATIONS

READDOWN

#701 #703 #705

8:00A

8:08A

8:16A

8:29A

8:39A

6:41P

6:46P

7:05P

7:23P

7:42P

7:46P

7:55P

8:00P

8:13P

8:21P

8:29P

8:42P

8:52P

12:14P

12:19P

12:38P

12:56P

1:15P

1:19P

1:28P

1:33P

1:49P

1:57P

2:05P

2:18P

2:28P

Santa Fe Depot

South Capitol

SF County / NM 599

Kewa

Sandoval / US 550

Downtown Bernalillo

Sandia Pueblo

Los Ranchos / JC

Downtown ABQ

Bernalillo County

Isleta Pueblo

Los Lunas

Belen

Train arrives but does not continue.0:00 Means train does not stop.

Shown are departure times, unless otherwise noted.

Shown are departure times, unless otherwise noted.


14/27


15/27

1 6 XP R E S S | D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

ROLLING

B Y D E B O R A H B U S E M E Y E R

Jay Leutwyler doesnt waste time on his commute between

Albuquerque and Santa Fe a few days a week. Instead of driving for

his bookkeeping business, he relaxes on the New Mexico Rail Runner

Express, reads articles and works on his laptop.

R AI L R UNNER SER VES CUR R ENT R I DER S,

P LANS FOR FUTUR E


16/27

ALONG

D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2 | XPR ES S 17

I ride the train instead of putting 35,000 milesa year on my car, the 61-year-old Albuquerque

resident said.Gladys Martin is relieved she doesnt have

to deal with traffic congestion or pay high gasprices to get from her home in Cochiti Puebloto her job as ninth-grade counselor at theSanta Fe Indian School.

The train is a lot better than driving, shesaid as she waited for the 4:10 p.m. train at theSouth Capital Depot. Im not in the hot seat.

Martin and Leutwylers commutes are amajor reason the New Mexico Rail RunnerExpress exists. The thousands of commutersbetween Santa Fe and Albuquerque arethe primary audience for the Rail Runner,according to Jay Faught, former marketingmanager for the train over the past four years.

In a survey of passengers this spring, 75percent reported they rode the train for work,almost 10 percent for leisure and 11 percentfor school. The remaining 4 percent includedtourism, airport and personal and businessappointments.

Since Gov. Toney Anaya was in office in themid-1980s, people had talked about creating atrain that would provide an alternative to driving

Interstate 25 between Santa Fe and Belen. In2003, then-Gov. Bill Richardson announced thathis administration would establish train servicealong a corridor that contains nearly 60 percentof New Mexicos jobs.

Two years later, the Mid-Region Councilof Governments and the New MexicoDepartment of Transportation conducted astudy looking at transportation options fortravel between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.The study involved researching alternativessuch as, adding more lanes to I-25, using busservice or existing railroad track. Creating an

additional lane on I-25 between Belen andSanta Fe was estimated to cost $720 to $740million, according to the study. It also couldprove challenging because the area traversesseveral Indian pueblos. In addition, an extralane would not have addressed the fact thatthere is no other transportation option whenpoor weather conditions, road construction orvehicle crashes slow traffic further.

In 25 years, its anticipated that commuters


17/27

1 8 XP R E S S | D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

will have a two-hour trip to Albuquerque. So the Rail Runner isabout meeting future needs as well as current, said Tony Sylvester,

special projects planner for the Rio Metro Regional Transit District.

We dont want to say the Rail Runner will solve traffic problems,

but there will be an important option for people to avoid a two-

hour commute.

About 30,000 vehicles each day travel on I-25 between the town

of Bernalillo and Cerrillos Road, according to the Mid-Region

Council of Governments Traffic Surveillance Program. Its only

going to get worse.

A lot of people criticize that were ahead of our time, that

were not dense enough, we dont have enough population, were

too spread out, Sylvester said. The train already is working.Were carrying 4,500 to 5,000 people a day. That means 200,000

miles of vehicle traffic off the roadway system a day, which is very

significant.

By 2025, population in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe corridor will

grow by nearly 50 percent to more than 1.3 million, according to

the Albuquerque-Santa Fe Alternatives Analysis conducted by

URS Greiner, Inc. in 2005. In the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the

population is expected to increase 60 percent to 228,000 by 2025.

Lack of affordable housing there forces many to live outside the city.

Bus service wouldnt provide an option to riding on I-25. Also,

it would take 93 buses to carry the average number of people who

ride the Rail Runner every day, Faught said. Further, buses typically

dont result in people making investments in land or real estate the

way a train can, Sylvester said.

While we view the Rail Runner as part of this really efficient

economical way to get people up and down the corridor, just as

importantly, it can shape the way the region grows and help us

address a lot of the road-related issues that were facing if we dont do

things differently, Sylvester said.

The City of Santa Fe is looking at development in a different way

where the Rail Runner travels along St. Michaels Drive. The City

is considering making the wide road more narrow and attractive, awell as pedestrian and bike-friendly to try and draw new technolo

companies or art and design businesses to the area, said Santa Fe

Mayor David Coss.

The train coming was part of the impetus for totally re-

envisioning the St. Michaels corridor and how that might develop

with major transit going through it, Coss said.

Merritt Brown and his partners at SF Brown bought the prope

surrounding the Zia Station in Santa Fe before there was a whispe

of the Rail Runner. The train has completely changed the develop

plans for the 17-acre area, expanding the residential component of

the development to 50 percent compared to 10 percent before. W

thought the train was a grand opportunity for not just Santa Fe bAlbuquerque and the central Rio Grande corridor, Brown said.

much of the Western U.S. has developed around the vehicle. This

is a way to break that mold a little bit. If we have the potential for

people to get around a different way, you can get more creative in

your development opportunities.

In SF Browns research about trains and development, Brown a

his partners learned that office and residential space were critical,

because both employees and residents appreciate living or workin

near another transportation option.

We honestly feel that our development will take advantage of

next generation, Brown said.

Both Brown and Sylvester pointed out that the aging populatio

of New Mexico could be interested in living near a train station,

where they wouldnt have to rely on their car for transportation. T

train already is servicing those without cars.

Before the Rail Runner, Henry Chavez, 46, hitchhiked to Santa

for work. Now he can travel on the train from Kewa Pueblo. I ca

the train to be safe, he said.

In addition to workers coming in on the train, the City of Sant

Fe is planning how it can provide more opportunities for visitors

who travel by train to Santa Fe, Coss said. The City is considering

CLYDE MUELLER

Students are biking, taking buses, shuttles and the Rail Runner to getaround and reduce traffic.

JANE PHI

Rosie Zamora works at SAMs Club in the tire department and uses hbike for transportation to and from the Rail Runner 599 stop. She livin Albuquerque.


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D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2 | XPR ES S 19

asking voters to provide funding to rehabilitate Santa Fes old

depot building and build a multi-modal visitor center adjacent to

Tomasitas on Guadalupe Street.

The Rail Runner has been a big deal to our hotels and merchantsand cultural industries, he said.

Not everyone recognizes the benefits of the Rail Runner. In

public venues, such as letters to the editor, people have criticized the

cost of the train, which is operating at a deficit due mostly because of

the loss of supplemental federal funds and a decrease in gross receipts

taxes. The train is funded through fares, gross receipts tax and rental

fees for the train tracks that the State owns.

There is not a transit system in the country or in the world that

makes money, Faught said. The government provides this as a

service to the community. And thats what were doing by having

the Rail Runner as a form of public transportation.

Even though the system has had to cut back schedules and raise

fares, Sylvester sees no threat to the future of the train. The biggest

struggle is how to expand the train service to meet a variety of travel

demands and stay within budget. The most common complaint the

Rio Metro Regional Transit District receives is that trains should

run more often.

We want to see a robust service that serves as the backbone of a

regional transit network, he said. Weve come a long way in five

years and theres still a long way to go. We have dedicated riders, but

we still need to attract more.

JANE PHILLIPS

Cochiti Elementary School took a public transportation field trip on theRail Runner.

NATALIE GUILLN

Philippe Codert, 92, takes the Rail Runner three days a week to workfrom Belen to Albuquerque.

WHAT THE RAIL RUNNER MEANS

JOBSCreating the railroad system: 250Current staff: 150

CLEANER AIR, 201053 fewer tons of volatile organic compounds46 fewer tons of nitrous oxides583 fewer tons of carbon monoxide

DRIVERSIn 2010, the Rail Runner reduced vehicle miles betweenSanta Fe and Belen by 45.7 million.

ACCIDENTSTo determine how much a train reduces accidents ona road, the federal government uses computer modelsand estimates based on national averages. In 2010, theTransSight Model from Regional Economic Models, Inc.determined that there were 152 fewer crashes on I-25between Belen and Santa Fe, 37 involving injuries orfatalities and 115 involving property damage.

Statistics are based on 2010 ridership numbers andas calculated with the TransSight Model from RegionalEconomic Models, Inc.

THERE IS NOT A TRANSIT SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY OR IN THE WORLD

THAT MAKES MONEY. THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES THIS AS A SERVICE

TO THE COMMUNITY. AND THATS WHAT WERE DOING BY HAVING

THE RAIL RUNNER AS A FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

JAY FAUGHT, FORMER MARKETING MANAGER


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2 0 XP R E S S | D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

B Y T O D D B A I L EY

Anabel Gomez and Arthur Cooper looked like they werein an explosion.

In a way, they were.

Their bodies were covered in blood with a scattering of burn marks.

Gomezs forehead was bloodied and a piece of glass stuck out of her

right cheek. Cooper had glass shards all over his chest and head.

It itches a bit, Gomez said with a laugh. But its all right. It to

them about an hour to get all the make-up on everyone.

The two ITT Technical Institute criminal justice students

volunteered earlier this year to portray victims of a bomb detonat

onboard a train during a real-time emergency exercise conducted

by the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, Amtrak and various law

enforcement agencies in Albuquerque.

The exercise allowed more than 100 law enforcement officials t

REDNATALIE GUILLEN


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D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2 | XPR ES S 21

work together in case any terrorist-type situations take place along

the Rail Runners 100-mile corridor. The day-long event consisted

of three scenarios: a bomb detonation that is supposed to kill two

passengers and injure several others, a hostage situation, and a

building-to-building man-hunt. The setting for the exercise was the

train depot just south of the Albuquerque downtown area.

Its the perfect place to hold such an exercise, said Frank Fisher

of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Weve been able to get

everyone together for these scenarios and get everyone on the same

page in case one of these unfortunate events happens.

The agencies involved with the exercise were the New Mexico

State Police, FBI, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, Albuquerque

Police Department, Albuquerque Fire Department, Albuquerque

SWAT and bomb squads and the Albuquerque Police K-9 division.

The New Mexico State Police served as the umbrella

organization since its jurisdiction covers the 100-mile corridor of

TODD BAILEY

Disaster exercise participants get a briefing before entering the building on a manhunt. From left, Luke Miller,FBI; Nick Army, Rio Rancho Police Department; George Lopez and Hugo Munoz, New Mexico State Police.

FAKE EMERGENCY

TRAINS FOR THE REAL THING

ALERT


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the Rail Runner, said Augusta Meyers, communications manager,Mid-Region Council of Governments. But within the differentjurisdictions, depending on where the event occurs, you are going toget different responders to an event.

The exercise was the culmination of a years worth of planning andfour days of intensive classroom training. Law enforcement routinelytrains for emergency scenarios involving buildings, Meyers said. Buttraining was needed to prepare everyone in the case a crisis tookplace on a train.

With the rail, (law enforcement officers) need to know howthings work on a locomotive, Meyers said. They need to knowhow to turn off the train. They need to know the strategies onexiting a train, how to open the windows outward, to allowpassengers to exit.

More than 100 volunteers participated as train passengers. TheRail Runner and Amtrak each provided a train for the exercise.To make the exercise as life-like as possible, make-up artists were

brought in to apply injuries to passengers and a triage was set up totreat them.

When the bomb detonation scenario was completed, the focusswitched to the hostage scenario on board the Amtrak train. Lawenforcement officials practiced entry techniques. SWAT snipersfrom the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Department also participatedin the event.

For the manhunt scenario, everyone involved waited for thedaylight to diminish before starting. Fisher said the old train stationbuildings on the site provided the perfect setting. The plan was to

conduct a five-building search involving flash and bang bombs.It would be easier to do the last scenario in the daylight, but w

thought it would be a better exercise to conduct it in the dark,said Fisher. The group of officers will enter each building, which

we have wired with non-lethal explosives to provide the real-lifeexperience. Thats necessary for the officers to conduct their job itense situation. The closer to reality, the better the exercise can be

By the time the third scenario took place, Gomez and Cooper,who portrayed two victims in the bomb detonation scenario,were on their way home. The two criminal justice studentsconsidered themselves lucky to participate in such an informativedemonstration and exercise.

Its pretty interesting to get to be in a situation like that andobserve how it would really be like, said Cooper, who at the age31 mostly travels by train. How things react around you. Just seethe operations procedures and the process of doing them is greatWe learn about them in class, but to see them performed is really

great.The idea of terrorist acts onboard a train has been widely seen i

the movies and exclusively covered through European media repoBut to have an exercise of three scenarios take place on a train whruns through central New Mexico on a regular basis hit home a b

People dont expect for trains to be attacked, said Gomez, ageI think its a good practice for everyone. I think this is somethingthat we need to have to make sure that the people who ride the trare safe.

SWAT sniper, Detective Patrick Burk, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Department, takes his position for a training exercise involving the Rail Runneand a fake disaster situation.


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D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2 | XPR ES S 23

2011-2012 WINTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All Year

Santa Fe Farmers Market (Santa Fe, Railyard) Every Tuesdayand Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. www.santafefarmersmarket.com.Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depot.

Railyard Artisans Market (Santa Fe, Railyard) Every Sunday from10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.santafefarmersmarket.com. Exit the train at theSanta Fe Depot.

December 2011

Dec. 3-31: December Garden Holidays (Albuquerque BioPark)9 a.m.-5 p.m. www.cabq.gov/biopark. Exit the train at theDowntown Albuquerque station and board ABQ Ride Route 66 orRoute 766 Rapid Ride Red Line to the BioPark Aquarium/Garden.

Dec. 10: Harvey House Christmas (Belen, Harvey House)10 a.m.-3 p.m. www.belen-nm.gov. Exit the train at the Belenstation and walk west over the Reinken Avenue overpass intodowntown, First and Becker.

January 2012

Jan. 27-Feb. 5: Winter Fiesta (Santa Fe) www.santafe.org.Various events and locations. Exit the train at the Santa Fe Depotstation and board the Santa Fe Pick Up or take the short walk.

Jan. 28: Valencia County Hispano Chamber Matanza (BelenFairgrounds) www.hispanomatanza.com. Exit the train at the Belenstation. There is no direct shuttle to the Fairgrounds; passengersmust find a means of transport.

February 2012Feb. 5: Black History Month Celebration (Santa Fe, Museumof International Folk Art) 1-4 p.m. www.internationalfolkart.org.Exit the train at the South Capitol station and board the shuttles toMuseum Hill.

Feb. 25-26: Celebration of Gourds (Albuquerque, Expo NewMexico), www.newmexicogourdsociety.org. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Exit thetrain at the Downtown Albuquerque station and board Rapid RideRed Line, Green Line or ABQ Ride Route 66 to the fairgrounds.

NATALIE GUILLN

Antonio and Molly Manzanares at their Shepherds Lamb booth at the Santa Fe Farmers Market in the Railyard.

GET GOING


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2 4 XP R E S S | D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

Across

1. Mediterranean city

6. Feijoada is considered to be

its national dish

10. Gold, for Pizarro

12. Country where you can find

the Bay of Laspi on the Black

Sea

15. Like some breezes

18. Smart

19. Navy ship title

20. Above street level transport

(2 words)

24. Chocolate or watches?

26. Do a 180 in the rental car?

(2 words)

28. Bed and breakfast

29. Tide flowback

31. Stylish

32. Turkish city

33. Snow bank

35. Yes in Spanish

36. Avignon is in the __ ofFrance

37. Southern England seaside

town

39. Site of the Franz Kafka

museum

40. Roll of dough

41. Strolling along

43. Norfolk waterways in the

UK

45. You ___ here

46. Consultant47. Propels a canoe

Down

1. South western French citywhose university was foundin 1229

2. Ararat boat

3. Cruise line

4. Galway native

5. Montmartre, for one

7. Nationality famous for itsvodka and roulette?

8. Creature park

9. Recline

11. Sightseeeing assistant (2words)

13. Voice14. Born, in France

16. Code-cracking org.

17. Handwoven Norse carp

21. Island paradise in theCaribbean

22. Religious site in Israel (2words)

23. Chinese river

25. Beach finds

27. Nurse for short

30. Englishman, for short

33. The color of Syrah (2

words)34. Spain + Portugal

36. Unexpected difficulty

38. Proprietor

42. I want my ___ fromMoney for Nothing

43. Bikini top

44. Bros sibling

45. Wire service

CROSSWORD BY MYLES MELLOR

A L L A B O A R DP U Z Z L E S

8 2 1 9 4

9

7 4 8 2

8 5

6 9 5 1 8

9 7

5 1 7 3

1

2 8 7 1 4

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdividedinto nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle each row,column and box must contain each of the numbers 1-9.Level: medium

SUDOKU BY MYLES MELLOR AND SUSAN FLANAGAN

Answers can be found on page 26.


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D E C - M A R 2 0 1 1 - 1 2 | XPR ES S 25

B Y T O D D B A I L E Y

Every other weekend for almost two years, JudahMedina-Armstrong has ridden the New Mexico RailRunner from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, only to catch theTaos Express shuttle from Santa Fe to Taos.

During the school year, the 13-year old uses the two-hour trip tofinish his homework. Sometimes he pushes away the math questionsand stares out the window. When he travels north for summervacation, his focus is mainly on the beauty of central and Northern

New Mexico.The view is always great going to Taos, the eighth-grade BosqueSchool student said. Its hard to pay attention to my homework thewhole trip. I sometimes just like to stare out the window.

The mass-transit trip has been a godsend for his parents. Judahlives with his father, Bruce, in Albuquerque, and travels to visit

his mother, Elizabeth, inColorado, who goes to Taos topick up her son.

We all took the train andTaos Express for the firsttime with Judah, just so hewouldnt feel uncomfortable

about the trip, said BruceArmstrong. Now he takes it all the time by himself and ratherenjoys it.

The Taos Express may only be a weekend service, but it has grownin popularity since it started three years ago. The passengers who usethe service understand its value.

Taos resident Whitney Goler and her two sons use the TaosExpress to visit her parents in Santa Fe. Instead of worrying aboutdriving the winding road between the two communities, Goler sitsback with a book, while her sons listen to music on their iPods.

Its such a convenient way to travel, Goler said, Plus, its muchcheaper than driving down.

The cost of a round-trip from Taos to Santa Fe is $10 for adults

and free for children, age 10 and younger. Those kinds of savingswere what caught Maria Dimas attention. The Taos resident oftentravels to Los Lunas to visit her son and his family.

Its very economical, Dimas said. What could cost around $100in gas to travel to Los Lunas by vehicle costs $26 by mass transit.And thats not including the wear and tear on your vehicle.

The Taos Express is one of more than 60 bus and shuttle routesthat connect the Rail Runner to the more rural parts of central andNorthern New Mexico, said Augusta Meyers, communicationsmanager for the Mid-Region Council of Governments, which helps

run the train. We like to think of the Rail Runner as the spine of

all mass transit in central and Northern New Mexico, Meyers said.With all of these bus and shuttle routes, passengers can travel fromSocorro to Taos without spending too much money.

Although Town of Taos officials are happy with the success ofthe Taos Express, its original design was to offer an opportunity fortourists and other New Mexico residents to travel to Taos for the day

or weekend.

Day trippers have the chance to enjoy the scenery of the driveup, said Cathy Connelly, director of Public Affairs and Tourism forthe Town of Taos. If they want to have a glass of wine at the end ofthe day, they dont have to worry about driving back.

To serve tourists, two new routes were added and are used byreservation only. The first travels from downtown Santa Fe to theSanta Fe Airport. On Thanksgiving weekend, a new route started

from Taos to the Taos Ski Valley at the cost of $1 per round trip.Weve had a lot of requests from our passengers for the ski

valley service, said Connelly. They like the idea of coming up on

Saturday, ski and have fun, stay the night, ski some more on Sundayand then come back Sunday evening.

Skiing isnt the only event for visitors. They can enjoy the

Lighting of Ledoux Street on Dec. 10. Taos museums, galleries andbusinesses help light up the buildings on the historic street with

farolitos. Music and other festivities will also take place.But the holiday season isnt the only time to come to Taos, said

Connelly. We have summer events that take place as well. We even

have some people who will load their bicycles and come up to ridearound town for the day.

Whatever the reason, the Taos Express offers an ideal way to visit

all the attractions Taos has to offer. The cost can be cheaper than agallon of gas, and the experience is priceless.

TRAIN TO TAOS W I TH TH E EXPR ES S S H U TTL E, MAS S TR AN S I T OF F ER S A W AY

DETAILSLearn more about the TaosExpress weekend shuttle atwww.taosexpress.com.

KIM KURIAN

Rio Grande Gorge, Taos


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5 3 8 6 7 2 1 9 4

9 2 4 5 8 1 7 3 67 1 6 4 9 3 8 2 5

8 7 5 3 1 9 6 4 2

6 9 2 7 5 4 3 1 8

1 4 3 8 2 6 9 5 7

4 5 1 9 6 7 2 8 3

3 6 9 2 4 8 5 7 1

2 8 7 1 3 5 4 6 9

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Name: Nicole Trujillo

Family: I live with my fianc, Martin, and we have two kids. Myoldest is Cisco and he is 8 years old, and my youngest is Martin,who is 3.

Job Title: Customer Service Representative

Where do you live? Albuquerque on the West Side.

How long have you worked for New Mexico Rail RunnerExpress? Since February of 2009, almost three years

Describe your typical work day. My work day starts in theafternoon at 2 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. Throughout the day, Ianswer a high-volume multi-phone line with questions regardingtrain and bus schedules along with trip planning for tourists andticket prices. Im in constant contact with the dispatchers andconductors to update the digital screen and voice announcementsat each station and send out text message alerts to notify passengersof any delays. As well as customer-service duties, I log all lost andfound and keep track of all trains to make sure they are on time,and monitor video surveillance cameras at all stations. I coordinatewith the Rail Runner when there are delays with our train or buses.

Whats your favorite part of your job? My favorite part ofmy job is being able to help people learn and get to know the RailRunner. There are many people who dont know about publictransportation and how to get from the stations to wherever itis they need to go. Many people from out of town dont knowthey can take a free shuttle from the airport to the station inAlbuquerque and get to Santa Fe or south to Belen. So justknowing I can educate these people on all this information makesme feel good about my job.

When you are not working, what else do you like to do?I love spending time with my kids and taking them out to enjoya family day. I also enjoy going out dancing, shopping and justenjoying life.

A L L A B O A R D

COURTESY PHOTO


26/27


27/27

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Documents

December-February 2011 Xpress New Mexico Rail Runner Express Magazine