Rail Runner dropping weekend trains

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Rio Metro board of directors voted Friday to eliminate weekend Rail Runner Express commuter trains in August.

The board, trying to balance its budget for next fiscal year, cited the loss of $1.2 million in federal funding.

Previously the board was considering replacing some weekday service with buses, but at its meeting Friday morning vote 6-5 to drop the weekend trains, according to a statement released late Friday afternoon.  The statement said weekend trains will continue running until "mid-to-late August."

“This was originally envisioned as a commuter service, and that’s the piece we want to maintain without affecting anybody”, board Chairman Steve Shaw said in the statement. “While we recognize the weekend service from a tourism and convenience point of view, we think it’s more important to support the initial mission of the train without affecting the people who use it to get to and from work.”

The $1.2 million was part of a three-year package of federal funding that is about to run out.