Mayor Tim Keller, City of Albuquerque | City of Albuquerque
Mayor Tim Keller, City of Albuquerque | City of Albuquerque
ABQ RIDE Connect has achieved a significant milestone by delivering its 10,000th ride. The free microtransit service is designed to enhance public transportation in areas with limited bus services, supporting the 'last mile' of travel.
Mayor Tim Keller expressed satisfaction with the program's progress: “We’re continuing to bring new and innovative options for people to connect from doorstep to destination. This milestone shows our microtransit service is gaining popularity, serving as a flexible on-demand alternative to get where you need to go.”
The service operates five electric vans from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, functioning similarly to rideshare platforms like Lyft or Uber. Transit Deputy Director Michael Davis commented on the community's positive reception: “Microtransit has proven to be a great fit for Albuquerque! The community has taken to this service and is using it as we had hoped – to take their families to school, get to medical appointments, shop at grocery stores, and enjoy local recreational activities like parks, Old Town, Explora, and the ABQ BioPark.”
Since its launch on March 18, 2024, the pilot program has met its performance goals. Over 6,000 app downloads have been recorded due to successful marketing campaigns. Additionally, 96% of riders rated their experience positively. The average number of passengers per hour stands at 2.3 within the target range of 2-4.3.
To celebrate this achievement, ABQ RIDE recognized Dustin Jade as the 10,000th rider. Jade met with transit leaders and received complimentary pizza from Dominos on Sage Rd., along with movie tickets for AMC Albuquerque 12 on Las Estancias Way—both accessible via ABQ RIDE Connect.
Jade shared his appreciation for the service: “It’s been helpful to save money on gas and wear-and-tear on my truck,” he said about his commute in the Southwest Mesa Service Zone. “In comparison to riding the bus, these vans are smaller with fewer passengers. I’m glad the City [created this service] and I hope they continue and expand it!”
Key statistics about ABQ RIDE Connect include:
- Creation of 6,250 rider profiles
- An average of 300 weekly boardings
- Average wait time of approximately ten minutes
- An average ride distance of 82 miles; totaling over 28,200 miles since launch
For more information or to download the app for this pilot program visit ABQRIDE.com.
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