ART buses hit the streets Nov. 30

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)- On Friday, Mayor Tim Keller along with Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Rael, and Transit Director Danny Holcomb announced the Albuquerque Rapid Transit Project will begin service this month.

Mayor Keller announced that the ART service will begin on November 30, which is also Small Business Saturday. This is about two years after the expected launch date.

“We cleaned up non-functional or inaccessible platforms, we fixed ADA issues, we also tried to fix the route in ways that were permitted to make it a little more user-friendly,” said Mayor Tim Keller.

Driver training started in July, since then Albuquerque police has stopped more than 270 drivers for committing various ART related traffic violations like illegal left turns. Instead of ticketing, police have been instructing drivers on how to properly navigate the lanes.

Now the city says police will issue warning citations through the end of the year. Once the new year starts, they’ll start issuing $80 tickets.

The city will be offering free bus fare starting Nov. 30 through Dec. 31

New ART buses unveiled 11/08/2019 ( Photo courtesy: KRQE Reporter | Stephanie Chavez)
New ART buses unveiled 11/08/2019 ( Photo courtesy: KRQE Reporter | Stephanie Chavez)
New ART buses unveiled 11/08/2019 ( Photo courtesy: KRQE Reporter | Stephanie Chavez)
New ART buses unveiled 11/08/2019 ( Photo courtesy: KRQE Reporter | Stephanie Chavez)

ART Routes & Station Map

Routes

ART will replace the 766 Red Line and extend the 777 Green Line.

766 Red Line

The 766 Red Line will provide service from the Central & Unser Transit Center to the Uptown Transit Center and all ART stations in between.

777 Green Line

The 777 Green Line will provide service from the Central & Unser Transit Center to Central & Tramway and all ART stations in between.

How do I purchase bus tickets?

Bus tickets can be purchased from the ABQ RIDEtix app that is available for Androids and iPhones as well as ticket vending machines that are located at each ART station.

How much do passes cost?

ART passes are the same as the rest of ABQ Ride’s system. (These will take effect once the trial period is over)

1 day pass – $2
1 way pass – $1 or $0.35 for students
1 month pass – $30 or $12 for students
3 month pass – $75 or $30 for students
6 month pass – $125 or $50 for students
12 month pass – $225 or $90 for students

What are the hours of operation?

Monday through Friday regular ART buses will run from 5:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday hours will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday hours will be from 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

How frequent is service?

ART will arrive every seven to eight minutes between Unser and Louisiana. ART will arrive every 15 minutes on Central east of Louisiana and on Lousiana north of Central.

How do I transfer?

ART fare is the same as ABQ Ride bus fare and Rail Runner fare.

How accessible is ART?

ART provides easier entry for individuals with wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. Passengers using wheelchairs can choose to ride in a forward-facing or rear-facing, self-securing wheelchair space. There are also Braille “Stop Requested” buttons on the buses in addition to Brail information that can be found on ticket vending machines. Pedestrian crossings will also feature audio and vibratory signals.