Coordinates: 35°4′51.

7″N 106°37′12″W

Albuquerque Rapid Transit

Albuquerque Rapid Transit, also known as Albuquerque Rapid Transit
ART, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) line serving
the Central Avenue corridor in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, United States. The line runs
between Tramway Boulevard (NM 556) and the
Central and Unser Transit Center (CUTC) in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.[2][3] It began
partial operation in November 2017, after a Overview
year of construction.[4] Full service was
System ABQ RIDE
expected to commence in early 2018, but in
Operator ABQ RIDE
January 2018, mayor Tim Keller announced
that the system would not open for "many Began November 30, 2019
months" due to station design issues and severe service
construction flaws of the buses supplied by Route
Chinese manufacturer BYD Automobile.[5] Locale Albuquerque, New Mexico

The line began service on November 30, Start Central and Unser Transit Center
2019.[6] End Route 777 - Tramway Boulevard (NM
556)
Route 766 - Uptown Transit Center

Contents Stations 19
Service
History
Background Ridership 15,750 (projected) [1]
Construction Route map
Launch Central and Unser
Transit Center
Design Coors
Accolades Yucca
Atrisco
Incidents
Rio Grande
Fleet issues Albuquerque
Bio Park
Biological Park
References Old Town
External links West Downtown

Downtown Main Library

Alvarado
Civic Plaza
History Transit Center

NMRX Rail Runner

EDo
Background
I-25
Presbyterian
UNM CNM
U i it
 University UNM Popejoy
In 2004, the City of Albuquerque began of New Mexico
operations of its first Rapid Ride line, as a Nob Hill Nob Hill
precursor to a light rail system along Central Nob Hill East
Avenue. The plans for light rail were Highland
disbanded, and the Rapid Ride became a San Mateo
permanent system, expanding to three different Expo NM Louisiana
lines in 2006 and 2009. Studies to build a rapid Coronado Center Lomas
Uptown
transit system using either buses or streetcars
Uptown Transit Center
also took place in 2006, but no action was
Wyoming
taken.[7] Although the Rapid Ride is a limited
Nuclear Museum Eubank
stop express bus service, it lacks several key
Juan Tabo
features of BRT, such as dedicated travel lanes
Tramway
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]

Construction
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]

Launch
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]

Design
Buses used on the ART line bear similarities in design and operation to light rail trains. ART buses have
doors on both sides to accommodate different platform locations.

ART stations often feature passenger amenities such as shelters, benches, lighting, new landscaping, and
potentially, local art work.[22] On a standard bus route, passengers have to climb steps or a wheelchair
ramp must be folded out. ART stations are similar to train platforms in that when a bus arrives, the floor
of bus is the same height as the station platform. This reduces wait time for passengers and makes the
buses more handicap accessible.

Some platforms, however, were found to have inconsistent platform heights as well as gaps between
platform and buses, potentially creating significant accessibility issues. Also, the stations' clearance is
incompatible with the current design of the buses supplied by Build Your Dreams, as evidenced by bus
mirrors hitting the station structure.[5]

Accolades
Shortly after service began, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), which ranks
BRT corridors based on design, efficiency, and operation, awarded the ART corridor a Gold ranking,
scoring 88.5 out of 100 possible points for its copious use of BRT technology, such as dedicated bus
guideways, off-board fare collection, bus-level boarding platforms, frequency of service, and the use of
an all-electric bus fleet. ART is the first BRT system in the United States to receive a Gold rating from
the ITDP.[39]

In December 2017, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) jointly awarded
their annual "Chairman's Award" to the ART project and to former mayor Richard J. Berry, stating in the
award announcement, "Berry’s strong advocacy of the project was also seen as pivotal to its
implementation".[40]

Incidents
On November 25, 2017, the opening day for limited service on the route, a passenger vehicle attempted
to make an illegal U-turn across the guideway to escape a long traffic queue due to the annual River of
Lights festival, and was struck by an ART vehicle traveling westbound in the guideway. There were no
injuries reported, and the driver of the passenger vehicle admitted fault at the scene.[41]
Fleet issues
On January 9, 2018, Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller held a press conference and claimed numerous
issues existed with the ART corridor as currently designed, as well as with the quality and quantity of the
buses delivered by Build Your Dreams. Issues raised included inconsistent platform heights, ADA
violations, faulty batteries and leaking axles on the buses, and at least one intersection whose geometry is
unable to accommodate a 60-foot bus safely.[42] Both the contractor and the bus manufacturer said they
would work to fix the issues at no additional cost to the city.[43][44]

The vandalization of dormant stations and increased traffic on the remaining car traffic lanes has led to
criticism of the project overall and decreased business for establishments on Central Avenue.[45]

In May 2019, the city and BYD parted ways as a pending lawsuit and countersuit were settled.

20 diesel buses were purchased from New Flyer as a replacement for the BYD order.

References
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moves-forward/). KRQE News 13. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
3. "Map-Albuquerque Rapid Transit" (http://www.brtabq.com/Map).
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p://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/after-13-months-art-opens-its-doors-to-riders/468222
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problems mount" (https://www.abqjournal.com/1116887/mayor-outlines-major-problems-wit
h-art-including-inability-to-charge-buses.html). www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
6. Reisen, Matthew; Martinez, Pilar (December 1, 2019). "ART up and running" (https://www.a
bqjournal.com/1396781/art-up-and-running.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved
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7. "CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE CENTRAL AVENUE CORRIDOR BRT FEASIBILITY
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pdf) (PDF). Cabq.gov. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
8. "City seeks federal funds to advance bus rapid transit" (http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquer
que/blog/morning-edition/2014/02/city-seeks-federal-funds-to-advance-brt.html).
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p://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/NM__Albuquerque_Central_Ave_BRT_Profile_FY16.pdf)
(PDF). Federal Transit Administration. Federal Transit Administration. Archived from the
original (http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/NM__Albuquerque_Central_Ave_BRT_Profile_F
Y16.pdf) (PDF) on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
10. "Feds give ABQ OK on bus rapid transit idea" (http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/new
s/2014/03/07/feds-give-abq-ok-on-bus-rapid-transit.html). Albuquerque Business First. 7
March 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
11. " 'Train-like bus' on display in ABQ" (http://krqe.com/2014/03/24/train-like-bus-on-display-in-
abq/). KRQE News 13. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
12. "Bus rapid transit initiative moves into public meeting phase - Albuquerque Business First"
(http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/blog/morning-edition/2014/09/transit-initiative-mov
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13. "Map | Albuquerque Rapid Transit" (http://www.brtabq.com/Map). www.brtabq.com.
Retrieved 2017-04-20.
14. "2040 MTP Long Range Transportation Systems" (http://abqbrt.blob.core.windows.net/reso
urces/2040_MTP_Transit_Map.pdf) (PDF).
15. "ABQ RIDE System Map" (http://data.cabq.gov/transit/Maps/All-wkday%20and%20wkend.p
df/).
16. "ART's price tag rises $19 million" (http://www.abqjournal.com/723205/news/projection-for-tr
ansit-system-rises-by-19m.html). ABQ Journal. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
17. "Councilor supports ART on conditions" (http://www.abqjournal.com/741815/news/councilor-
supports-art-on-conditions.html). ABQ Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
18. Writer, Martin Salazar | Journal Staff. "Compromise reached for wider Nob Hill sidewalks" (h
ttps://www.abqjournal.com/983516/compromise-for-nob-hill-sidewalks.html).
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19. "Meetings Scheduled To Discuss Transportation in UNM/CNM Area" (http://www.abqjournal.
com/10249/abqnewsseeker/meetings-scheduled-to-discuss-transportation-in-unmcnm-area.
html). Abqjournal.com. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
20. "CNM/UNM/Sunport Traffic Topic of Meeting Tonight" (http://www.abqjournal.com/114780/n
ews/roads/cnmunmsunport-traffic-topic-of-meeting-tonight.html). Abqjournal.com. Retrieved
11 October 2014.
21. "Paseo del Norte Study - www.mrcog-nm.gov" (https://web.archive.org/web/2014102003251
5/http://www.mrcog-nm.gov/special-studies/pdn-transit-study). Mrcog-nm.gov. Archived from
the original (http://www.mrcog-nm.gov/special-studies/pdn-transit-study) on 20 October
2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
22. "About Art" (http://www.brtabq.com/AboutArt). www.brtabq.com. ABQ Ride. Retrieved
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23. "ART Categorical Exclusion" (http://abqbrt.blob.core.windows.net/resources/CatEx/Final_A
RT_CE%208-17-2015_web%20.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 14 October 2015.
24. http://www.cabq.gov/transit/news/albuquerque-rapid-transit-receives-recommendation-of-
federal-funding
25. McKay, Dan (July 29, 2016). "ART can start" (https://www.abqjournal.com/817404/as-closin
g-arguments-conclude-judge-says-hell-rule-on-art-today.html). Albuquerque Journal.
Retrieved January 24, 2018.
26. McKay, Dan (August 29, 2016). "First phase of work on ART starts" (https://www.abqjournal.
com/835699/first-phase-of-work-on-art-starts.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved
January 24, 2018.
27. McKay, Dan (October 25, 2016). "Federal court refuses again to stop ART construction
work" (https://www.abqjournal.com/874701/u-s-appeals-court-refuses-to-halt-construction-of
-abq-rapid-transit.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
28. McKay, Dan (September 7, 2016). "ART project is now on the clock to finish in 16 months"
(https://www.abqjournal.com/840884/art-project-is-now-on-the-clock-2.html). Albuquerque
Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
29. McKay, Dan (October 18, 2016). "Heavy work begins on Central for ART" (https://www.abqj
ournal.com/869416/heavy-work-begins-on-central-for-art.html). Albuquerque Journal.
Retrieved January 24, 2018.
30. McKay, Dan (December 13, 2016). "ART project clears major legal hurdle" (https://www.abqj
ournal.com/908017/art-project-clears.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 24,
2018.
31. Boetel, Ryan (February 21, 2017). "Opponents drop lawsuit against ART project" (https://ww
w.abqjournal.com/954721/opponents-drop-lawsuit-against-art-project.html). Albuquerque
Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
32. Dyer, Jessica (February 20, 2017). "Central Ave. businesses feel effects of ART work" (http
s://www.abqjournal.com/953053/art-9.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 25,
2018.
33. Del Aguila, Andres (April 2, 2017). "Several businesses suffering from ART" (http://www.dail
ylobo.com/article/2017/04/3-art-hurts-businesses). Daily Lobo. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
34. Salazar, Martin (April 21, 2017). "ART loan program for businesses ready to go" (https://ww
w.abqjournal.com/991123/art-loan-program-for-businesses-ready-to-go.html). Albuquerque
Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
35. Hayden, Maddy; Reisen, Matthew (November 26, 2017). "ART's a hit at the start" (https://w
ww.abqjournal.com/1097876/a-hit-at-the-start.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved
January 23, 2018.
36. "6-6-18 #OIG 18-0001-R Report of Inspection: ART Project" (https://www.cabq.gov/inspecto
rgeneral/documents/rep-of-inspection-art.pdf/view), cabq.gov, retrieved 23 July 2019
37. James, Caleb (January 22, 2018). "Work to correct ART issues begins this week" (http://ww
w.kob.com/albuquerque-news/work-to-correct-art-issues-begins-this-week/4754432/). KOB.
Retrieved January 23, 2018.
38. https://www.abqjournal.com/1389158/after-years-of-delay-art-is-set-to-begin-operation.html
39. "ART System Receives Rare Gold Standard from ITDP" (https://globenewswire.com/news-r
elease/2017/11/27/1206471/0/en/ART-System-Receives-Rare-Gold-Standard-from-ITDP.ht
ml). globenewswire.com. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
40. "Awarding excellence: ART, Berry top NAIOP awards" (https://www.abqjournal.com/110144
4/art-berry-top-naiop-awards.html). abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
41. "Video Shows Albuquerque Driver Cross Into Bus-Lane Causing Crash" (http://krqe.com/20
17/11/29/video-shows-albuquerque-driver-cross-into-art-bus-lane-causing-crash/).
krqe.com. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
42. "Mayor Keller: New problems could delay ART bus service for another year" (http://krqe.co
m/2018/01/09/mayor-keller-to-talk-about-unresolved-art-issues/). KRQE.com. Retrieved
January 24, 2018.
43. "Councilors Pursue Answers on ART" (https://www.abqjournal.com/1120779/councilors-purs
ue-answers-on-art.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
44. "ART Bus Company Working to Correct Issues" (https://www.abqjournal.com/1121249/art-b
us-company-working-to-deliver.html). Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
45. "Albuquerque's $133-million electric bus system is going nowhere fast" (https://www.latimes.
com/nation/la-na-abq-art-albuquerque-electric-buses-20190213-story.html). Los Angeles
Times. Retrieved February 17, 2019.

External links
Official website (http://www.cabq.gov/transit/art-information/about-albuquerque-rapid-transit)

Cabq.gov: Albuquerque bus rapid transit (https://web.archive.org/web/20141012082857/htt

p://www.cabq.gov/transit/bus-rapid-transit-brt)
Mrcog-nm.gov: UNM cnm study (https://web.archive.org/web/20141020031804/http://www.
mrcog-nm.gov/special-studies/unm-cnm-study)
Mrcog-nm.gov: PDN transit study (https://web.archive.org/web/20141020032515/http://ww
w.mrcog-nm.gov/special-studies/pdn-transit-study)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albuquerque_Rapid_Transit&oldid=929863392"

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