The Albuquerque Transportation Authority is asking citizens to share their opinions on future bus routes and their feelings of safety when using public transportation.
The department offers interactive maps on its ABQ Ride Forward Network Plan websitewhere residents can review proposed route changes in specific parts of the city.
Andrew DeGarmo, ABQ Ride Forward’s chief planner and project manager, said his team is asking the public to let them know if they are “on the right track.”
“We’re asking questions like, ‘Is this better for you? For the people? You know, for the city as a whole?'” he said. “But we’d also really like to get concrete feedback, you know, things like, ‘I don’t like the change to Route 5.'”
DeGarmo said the proposals, based on previous surveys, would result in the elimination of commuter routes and the introduction of frequent, all-day service instead.
“There are tons of people who commute, but not to office jobs,” he said. “They’ll work, you know, in retail or service jobs. They’re not commuting from eight to five and they’re working weekends.”
Referrals will be collected through September 15 and can be submitted online, by phone or in person at the transit center.
The agency is also interested in public opinion on the safety risks of bus travel.
ABQ Ride Deputy Director Bobby Cisneros said the transit agency has seen fewer violent incidents recently, but other problems remain.
“We’re seeing a lot of loitering at bus stops and while they’re loitering, they’re openly taking drugs or maybe drinking alcohol in those places,” he said. “So those are the types of incidents we’re starting to see increase, not so much the violent incidents that we were used to in early 2022. So that’s a big success for us.”
Cisneros said his team wants drivers to know what is happening, when and where, to help bring about change.
“If we don’t know about it, we can’t do anything about it,” he said. “That’s why people have to step in and tell us.”
ABQ Ride is Accept input in the safety study until the end of the month.
