Improving the Function of the ABQ RIDE

Bus System
September 11, 2015
Troy Wiseman
What is ABQ RIDE?
The ABQ RIDE bus system is not only well established, but among one of the citys oldest
businesses still in service. Servicing over 13 million people since 2012 (CABQ), the bus system
continues to operate and carry passengers to their destinations all over the city. The ability to
transport this volume of passengers however does not come without issues. Many passengers are
dissatisfied with the service offered by the city bus system whether it be infrequent times,
undesirable drivers and passengers, or technical difficulties, the bus system is slowly becoming
more of a burden than a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to the average vehicle.
Altering the function of the bus system would not only increase the number of passengers, but
may also help to provide an example of how a city bus system should function.
What the Plan is
To help improve the bus system this proposal will attempt to identify and remedy many of the
problems that the current bus system faces. In order to help the bus system run more efficiently I
propose more. Increasing the number of operational busses and capable drivers will help to not
only move more traffic, especially during holidays and events, but to help passengers on a tighter
schedule arrive at their destinations more quickly. Implementation of the proposed changes will
not only help with transport during high volume times, the technical difficulties experienced on
some busses, and the infrequent arrival/departure times but it could create a business model that
other cities bus systems may adopt giving the Albuquerque bus system more publicity and a
larger positive public image.
Within this proposal I will discuss many of the issues that currently affect the Albuquerque city
bus system as well as the solutions that could be implemented to remedy the issues. This will be
accomplished by first identifying the issues then explaining what can be done about them, as
well as providing the costs associated with implementing the solutions. These solutions are
designed to not only help the ABQ RIDE Company, but the many passengers that benefit from
the services as well.
Where the Problems Are
First I will begin by explaining what exactly the problems are, explaining how they are caused
and how these problems effect the drivers as well as the passengers. From observations of the
daily operation of the bus system, specifically the 790 Blue Line, I have noticed some very major
issues.
I.

During the most crucial and high traffic hours many of the busses are unable to reach
their final destination on time either being late due to traffic or having to pick up
passengers that were left behind or were unable to make it to the bus due to the bus
departing early

II.

Many busses leave either late or very early. This is not only inconvenient but ultimately
causes a chain of issues that are not resolved until the working hours of the busses end.
For example, when one bus departs five minutes early they leave behind five minutes
worth of people, which from personal experience can be anywhere from 1-15 people per
stop, leading to overcrowding on the later busses.

III.

There are not enough busses serving the 790 Blue Line to adequately service all
passengers at a convenient time during normal (Non holiday/special event) operating
hours, there are four busses serving the line. The busses are higher capacity but that will
not help if the bus happens to be running late, because even the highest capacity busses
fill up.

IV.

The current fleet of busses is old, many busses experience technical difficulties some
even requiring entire busloads of passengers to wait to be transferred to a different bus.
This is not only inconvenient but costs more money. The cost of maintaining and
servicing the old busses is higher than buying new ones which are more efficient and do
not have the technical issues that the older models experience.

V.

There are too few drivers able to service the route. After every full circuit the driver is
allowed a twenty minute break before they depart again. Hiring more drivers could be
beneficial because it would allow for longer breaks helping to lighten the mood of the
drivers making the average work day progress much more smoothly.
How to fix it

In order to fix the current situation I propose more. Having more busses will solve the problem
of not having enough busses as well as the problem of not having newer up to date busses.
Newer busses will run more efficiently since they are more updated with newer technologies as
well as require less maintenance because of the bus being new. Hiring more drivers would help
to keep the bus line moving even on congested days like holidays, more busses allow more
people to be picked up and moved faster and more efficiently. Hiring more drivers allows for
longer breaks between routes as well, making for a more pleasant experience for both passenger
and driver. These two changes if implemented would fix every issue laid out, making this plan
very easy and quick to take effect.
How Much Would it Cost?
Paying for these improvements would not be as expensive as it sounds, being a large city
Albuquerque makes enough money from tourism, as well as special events. For instance during
this years New Mexico State Fair the city will bring in between $4-5 million (News). This is
only one event, Albuquerque hosts many special events throughout the year making the average
city income well above what the implementation of this plan would cost. The average new flier
bus costs $571,000 (Metrobus), and the annual salary for a city bus driver ranges from $20-44
thousand (Payscale Inc.). From personal experience the average bus ticket costs $1 meaning that
paying for this plan will make little to no difference in the income to the city. As a whole the

community benefits from the increase of transportation density as well as bolstering the citys
economy.
My Qualifications
As a frequent user of the ABQ RIDE bus system I feel that I am well qualified to offer advice on
the shortcomings of the bus system. I have seen many people left behind as well as been left
behind myself, I have had to transfer busses midway through the route due to technical failure, I
have seen very harsh exchanges of words between driver and passenger. As a frequent user of the
bus system I hate to see such a beneficial public privilege fall apart.
Final thoughts
This proposal is meant to help remedy the current state of the ABQ RIDE bus system, it is not a
restructuring of the system just an addition. I hope that you would implement some of these
changes to help the average citizen get around the city easier. I would like to thank you for
reading this document and for any thought you have given to this plan.