The New Mexico Rail Runner Express threw itself a birthday party today. Riders in Albuquerque and Santa Fe enjoyed “snacks and giveaways,” as the rail line marked its ninth anniversary.
“Trax” was at the Downtown ABQ Station, distributing hugs.
“Free” luggage tags!
In a press release announcing the festivities, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District listed some “fun facts” about the Rail Runner, including the “number of bicycle lockers at NMRX stations” and “Veterans Annual Passes issued to VA veterans from November 11, 2014 to July 1, 2015.”
One number that went unmentioned: 9.9. That’s the percentage of the Rail Runner’s 2014 operating costs that were covered by fares.
Who paid for the rest of the expenditures? Look in the mirror.
So far the Rio Metro folks are marketing the Rail Runner only as a commuter train to and from Santa Fe. No one is promoting the train to tourists, adding trains for special events or offering premium express service to Santa Fe that will be competitive with driving. When I drove to the Santa Fe opera earlier this week, I would have been more than willing to pay $20 or so for an opera train/shuttle service.
If Rio Metro is unwilling to expand the customer base for the Rail Runner, why should New Mexico taxpayers subsidize the commuting of state employees?
So far the Rio Metro folks are marketing the Rail Runner only as a commuter train to and from Santa Fe. No one is promoting the train to tourists, adding trains for special events or offering premium express service to Santa Fe that will be competitive with driving. When I drove to the Santa Fe opera earlier this week, I would have been more than willing to pay $20 or so for an opera train/shuttle service.
If Rio Metro is unwilling to expand the customer base for the Rail Runner, why should New Mexico taxpayers subsidize the commuting of state employees?
Another item for the 2016 budget along with the work requirement for welfare. Republicans need to hold the budget up and deal with the Democrat Senate and see what they do. There should be no debate in the House. It is just a stalling tactic. Take them off the front page and let the Senate Dems explain why the train is such a good idea.
The Rail Runner is one of the biggest taxpayer rip-offs, per capita, I have ever seen. The number I think you should have mentioned is that 90.1 of operating costs are paid by taxpayers. So how much is that per year? $20 million? $30 million? How about the TWO $230 million balloon payments due next decade? I am happy I will retire next year. And where will I retire? Not New Mexico, which Kiplinger says is the third worst state in the country for retirees. I will no longer be subsidizing this white elephant or the other one (Spaceport) down south!
Following on James comment. Why no special promotion to take the train to Spanish or Indian Markets?
Every time this debacle gets a “promotion” or adds for special events, it loses more money. We should cut our losses and scrap the whole thing. Isn’t losing $800 million enough?