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The Green Issue
unM reduces traffic

sun power

ABQ by bus
$
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A NIGHT
Call 1.877.THUNDER
Mention code: CR2011
877.THUNDER | buffalothunderresort.com
Management reserves all rights.
Styx
Friday, May 20
Charlie Daniels Band
Saturday, March 26
REO Speedwagon
Friday, April 15 Saturday, May 14
MARCH | XPRESS 3
Bike, Hike, Trike or Walk
and get on board the Rail Runner Express at ZIASTATION. The neighborhood stop.
A sustainable, mixed-use development featuring: neighborhood shops, restaurants,
business ofces, doctors ofces, townhouses and condominiums. ziastation.com
4 XPRESS | MARCH
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Features
07 Rail Runner greens New Mexico.
20 The University of New Mexico spotlights alternatives.
22 Businesses jump on board.
27 Heres how to ride Albuquerque the green way.
28 The Hard Rock works hard to conserve.
30 Solar panels turn sunlight into energy.
33 Jos Armenta: The Rail Runners four millionth rider
I n every I ssue
08 Route map
10 Rail Runner Saturday and Sunday schedules
12 Meet Tim Reed.
12 Weekday schedules
14 Calculate your fare/safety tip
16 Connections
18 Train of Thought: A love affair
32 Puzzles
34 Get going by train.
The Green Issue
6 XPRESS | MARCH
MARCH | XPRESS 7
READ ALL ABOUT I T ON BOARD THE RAI L RUNNER EXPRESS
ERNIE MONTOYA
MORE WAYS THE RAIL RUNNER
MAKES A DIFFERENCE
After four-and-a-half years of service, and four-million passengers, its nice to see that the New Mexico Rail Runner
Express is truly making a positive difference in the lives of the people in our community, whether they are using the train
or not. Since service began, the train has taken more than 150-million vehicle miles off of area roadways. Our passengers
report to us they are getting to work less stressed and are able to be productive at work. During 2010, the Rail Runner was
responsible for reducing 582 tons of carbon monoxide emissions from the atmosphere. Over the next 15-years that savings
is expected to grow to more than 12,000 tons. This means that because of your commitment to public transportation, we
can all breathe a little easier.
We recently installed photovoltaic solar panels on shade structures at the Sandoval County/US 550 station and will
soon do the same in Belen. The panels were also installed at the South Capitol Station in Santa Fe last year. These panels
generate 85 percent of the electricity needs at these stations. This is just another way the New Mexico Rail Runner Express
is also going green and minimizing its carbon footprint.
We are also adding carpool spaces beneath the shade structures at these stations. Commuters who arrive at the
station with two or more people in their vehicle have the opportunity to park in these preferred locations, which are
conveniently located closer to the platform.
So the next time you board the train, find your seat, and settle in for the ride, you can take comfort in the fact that you
are adding some green to your travel.
Thanks for riding.
Jay Faught
Marketing Manager
Rio Metro Regional Transit District
8 XPRESS | MARCH
ROUTE MAP
BELEN STATION
100 Rail Runner Drive
Belen
(Near Reinken Ave &
Wisconsin St.)
LOS LUNAS STATION
101 Courthouse Road
Los Lunas
ISLETA PUEBLO STATION
75 Isleta Lakes Road
(Near N.M. Hw.y 47 &
Tribal Road 15)
BERNALILLO COUNTY
STATION
113 Rio Bravo Blvd. S.E.
Albuquerque
DOWNTOWN
ALBUQUERQUE STATION
100 First Street S.W.
Albuquerque
LOS RANCHOS/
JOURNAL CENTER
STATION
101 El Pueblo Rd N.E.
Albuquerque
DOWNTOWN
BERNALILLO STATION
820 Railroad Track Road
Bernalillo
SANDOVAL COUNTY/
U.S. 550
400 Rail Runner Ave.
Bernalillo
KEWA PUEBLO STATION
SANTA FE COUNTY/N.M.
599 STATION
SOUTH CAPITOL STATION
1301 Alta Vista
Santa Fe
SANTA FE DEPOT
401 S. Guadalupe St.
Santa Fe
MARCH | XPRESS 9
New Mexico Artisans Market
Santa Fes Best Art Market
Shop and watch artists creating their work.
Every Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
Indoors at the Santa Fe Farmers Market
www.santafefarmersmarket.com
In the Railyard
.
1607 Paseo de Peralta
Julia Ives
Jack Krietzburg
10 XPRESS | MARCH
1. Decide whether you are going north (schedule
at top) or south (schedule at bottom)
2. On the left-hand side, find the station you are
leaving from
3. Read across to find the times the Rail Runner
departs from that station
4. From there, read down to find what time the
Rail Runner will arrive at the station to which
you are traveling
READING THE SCHEDULE
Schedules are subject to change. Please check
nmrailrunner.com for the most current schedules.
WI-FI ALONG THE WAY
Turn on your device. Check for a list
of available Wi-Fi networks (this
varies depending on device). Select
or connect to NMRX (SSID or Service
Set Identifier that will appear in list
of available networks). Open your
browser and you will be redirected
to the New Mexico Rail Runner
portal page. Click on accept to
accept the terms of using the service
and you will be allowed into the free
network.
MARCH | XPRESS 11
Offer expires 05/31/11
Tony Cragg, Mark di Suvero, Guy Dill, Jim Dine, Gnther
Frg, Helen Frankenthaler, Franois Morellet, Olivier Mosset,
Robert Motherwell, Mimmo Paladino, Pascal, Mary Shaffer,
Tom Wesselmann, among others. . .
LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: JIM DINE, GUY DILL, MARY SHAFFER, GNTHER FRG,
OLIVIER MOSSET, AND TONY CRAGG
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CULTURAL
SANTA FE
CLAY
MARKET STATION
SANTA FE
DEPOT
REI
RAILYARD
PARKING
GARAGE
FARMERS MARKET
ETKIN
SITE Santa Fe
LEWALLEN
JAMES KELLY
ZANE
BENNETT
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CAMINO DE LA FAMILIA CAMINO DE LA FAMILIA
CHARLOTTE
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SANTA FE
DEPOT
435 SOUTH GUADALUPE STREET, SANTA FE, NM 87501
505 982-8111 www.zanebennettgallery.com
TueSat 105, or by appointment
RAILYARD ARTS DISTRICT WALK LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH
ZANE BENNETT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE SANTA FE TRAIN DEPOT
C O N T E M P O R A R Y A R T
ZANEBENNETT
12 XPRESS | MARCH
ALL ABOARD
Name: Tim Reed
Birthday: Nov. 7
Family: Wife, 16-year-old stepdaughter, and
21-month old son
Job Title: Engineer
Where do you live? Albuquerque
How long have you worked for NMRX?
Five years. I actually started as a conductor
on the Rail Runner when it first started up
in 2006.
What are your work hours? 3:30 a.m.-
9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday
What was the most interesting thing
that has happened to you while
working for NMRX? Met the woman Im
married to.
Explain how you met: She rode the train
every day to work for a year before I ever
talked to her. She always had headphones
on or would go to sleep. One day, I noticed
she didnt have her headphones and she was
awake, so I talked to her.
How did you ask her on a first date?
Eventually, I got up the nerve to ask her out.
I gave her my phone number and bet her $10
that she wouldnt call me. To my surprise
she called! I paid up on the bet the day we
got married. It was great!
Any other love connections on the Rail
Runner? One of our conductors, Ernie, is
getting married in June to someone he met
on the train.
What is something interesting about
you that people may not know? I knew
that my grandfather retired from the railroad
in Belen after 32 years. But since Ive started
working for the Rail Runner, I have found
out that Ive had many uncles and relatives
through the years who have also worked
in railroading. In fact, Ive learned that my
great-grandfather was also an engineer. So
you might say railroading is in my blood.
MARCH | XPRESS 13
cwbookstore.com
202 Galisteo Street
505.988.4226
Santa Fes Best Bookstore since 1978
Mon-Sat 8amto 8pm
Sunday 8amto 6pm
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Train
Station
Plaza
Cathedral
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Collected Works
Bookstore
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On the corner of Water &Galisteo
a huge selection
of great books
and magazines
locally-roasted
organic cofee
and teas
free wif
delicious food
for here or to go
2 locations -on 2nd Strreet
and in the farmers market building
railyard downtown Santa Fe
SECONDSTREET BREWERY
SANTA FE RAILYARD
Locals, family neighborhood,
brewpub
world class microbeer
fresh Pub Fare
every Friday Featured Beers
Happy Hour all day
14 XPRESS | MARCH
PHOTOS BY CLYDE MUELLER
SAFETY TIP
Get out of your
vehicle if it stalls on
a crossing, and call
your local police
department for
assistance. Only
attempt to restart
if you can post
lookouts to warn of
approaching trains.
MARCH | XPRESS 15
16 XPRESS | MARCH
CONNECTIONS
SANTA FE DEPOT
Santa Fe Pick Up Use this route for a
quick connection to the Santa Fe Plaza and
Downtown Santa Fe. This route is available on
weekdays from 6:40 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. and
Saturdays from 7:50 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.
Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
Shuttle Use this shuttle to access the Buffalo
Thunder Resort & Casino. The shuttle is located
on the north end of the platform. Just turn left
when you get off the train.
Santa Fe Trails Route 2 (Cerrillos Road)
Use this route to access the West Capitol
Complex, the New Mexico School for the Deaf
and Santa Fe Place Mall.
Santa Fe Trails Route 4 (Southside) Use
this route to access the Santa Fe Convention
Center, City and County offices, Santa Fe Place
Mall and Santa Fe High School.
Santa Fe Trails Route M (Museum Hill)
Use this route to access Museum Hill.
Taos Express Shuttle service from the
Santa Fe Depot & South Capitol Rail Runner
Stations to the Town of Taos. Operates on
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Dragonfly Express Electric car rental by
the hour. Located at the Santa Fe Depot Rail
Runner Station.
SOUTH CAPITOL STATION
Santa Fe Trails Route 2 (Cerrillos Road)
Use this route to access the West Capitol
Complex, the New Mexico School for the Deaf
and Santa Fe Place Mall.
Santa Fe Trails Route 4 (Southside)
Use this route to access the Santa Fe
Convention Center, City and County offices,
Santa Fe Place Mall and Santa Fe High School.
South Capitol Shuttle Weekdays Only
Use this route to access St. Vincent Hospital,
the Rodeo Business Park and the District 5 DOT
office.
NM Park & Ride Blue Route Weekdays
Only Use this route to access Santa Fe,
Pojoaque and Los Alamos
NM Park & Ride Red Route Use this route
to access Espanola, Pojoaque and Santa Fe
NM Park & Ride Orange Route
Weekdays Only Use this route to access Las
Vegas and Santa Fe
NM Park & Ride Green Route
Weekdays Only Use this route to access
Espanola & Los Alamos
Taos Express Shuttle service from the Santa
Fe Depot Rail Runner Station to the Town of
Taos. Operates Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
SANTA FE COUNTY/NM 599
STATION
NM 599 Station Shuttle Weekdays Only
Use this route to access Rancho Viejo, the New
Mexican Plaza, Jaguar, Camino Entrada, and
Santa Fe Place Mall.
NCRTD 599 Shuttle Weekdays Only
Use this bus to access the NM Department of
Corrections, Onate Complex (National Guard)
and the Santa Fe County Detention Center.
Santa Fe Trails Route 22 Weekdays
Only Use this bus for a direct connection to
Santa Fe Community College, Rancho Viejo
and IAIA.
NM Park & Ride Purple Route
Weekdays Only Use this route for a direct
connection between the Rail Runner and Los
Alamos.
KEWA PUEBLO STATION
Rio Metro Route 202 Use this route to
access Bernalillo, northern Rio Rancho, Santa
Ana Pueblo, Algodones, Kewa Pueblo, the
Kewa Rail Runner Station, Cochiti Pueblo and
the town of Cochiti Lake
Hollywood Casino Shuttle at San
Felipe A shuttle meets all southbound trains
at this station.
SANDOVAL COUNTY/US 550
Santa Ana Star Casino Shuttle
Use this bus to access the Santa Ana Star
Casino
Hollywood Casino Shuttle at San
Felipe A shuttle meets all northbound trains
at this station.
Rio Metro Route 201 Use this route to
access Bernalillo and Enchanted Hills.
Rio Metro Route 204 Use this route to
access Bernalillo, northern Rio Rancho, Zia
Pueblo, San Ysidro, Jemez Pueblo and Jemez
Springs.
LOS RANCHOS/JOURNAL
CENTER STATION
ABQ RIDE Route 251 Weekdays Only
Use this bus to access the Journal Center
business district, Century 24 Theatre,
Cottonwood Mall, Intel and Rio Rancho.
DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE
ABQ RIDE Route 766 Rapid Ride Red
Line Use this express bus route located in the
front of the building to access Old Town, the
ABQ BioPark, UNM, Nob Hill and Uptown
ABQ RIDE Route 777 Rapid Ride Green
Line Use this express route located in the front
of the building to access UNM, Nob Hill, and
the Foothills near Tramway.
ABQ RIDE Route 40 The D-RIDE This is
a free downtown circulator that runs every 7
minutes Monday- Friday.
ABQ RIDE Route 53 Isleta
Use this route to access the Albuquerque Zoo
ABQ RIDE Route 217 Kirtland Air
Force Base Use this route to access Central
New Mexico Community College (CNM) and
Kirtland Air Force Base.
ABQ RIDE Route 250 Airport Express
Use this route to access the Albuquerque
International Sunport
Other ABQ RIDE Routes There are more
than 20 other ABQ RIDE bus routes that get
you just about anywhere in the city!
BERNALILLO COUNTY STATION
ABQ RIDE Route 222 Weekdays Only
Use this route to access the South Valley, the
VA Hospital, Kirtland Air Force Base and the
airport business district. This bus can also be
used to access the Albuquerque International
Sunport for passengers coming from and going
to Valencia County.
ISLETA PUEBLO STATION
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Shuttle Use
this shuttle to access the Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino Albuquerque. A bus meets every train
seven days a week.
LOS LUNAS STATION
Rio Metro Valencia Weekdays only This
is a dial-a-ride service for the Los Lunas area
open to anyone. All rides must be scheduled
24 hours in advance by calling 505-352-
3595. Rides are $1 each way.
BELEN
Rio Metro Route 206 Weekdays only
This bus is designed to bring Belen residents
to the Rail Runner station and other nearby
work centers during peak commute times. This
route begins on March 14.
Rio Metro Valencia Weekdays only
This is a dial-a-ride service for the Belen area
open to anyone. All rides must be scheduled
24 hours in advance by calling 505-352-
3595. Rides are $1 each way.
Socorro Shuttle Everyday Use this route
to access Socorro. Only one northbound bus
and one southbound bus will meet the train at
the Belen Station.
Ride any Rio Metro, ABQ RIDE
or Santa Fe Trails Bus for Free
MARCH | XPRESS 17
Plaza Mercado 112 W. San Francisco St.
Suite 212-C 982-9373
Featuring quality toys and games from
fair-labor manufacturers in America, Europe
and ports around the world.
Monday - Thursday 10 - 5ish
Friday & Saturday 10 - 5:30ish
Sunday 12 - 4ish
Connect to the Taos Express - only $10
round trip from Santa Fe Rail Runner Stops
TaosExpress
www.TaosExpress.com
(575) 751-4459 for reservations
Discover all there is to explore in Taos at
www.TaosSacredPlaces.com
Be Transformed by Land,
Light and Legend in Taos
CITY OF
SANTA FE
RECYCLES
TRAI N OF THOUGHT
Winners describe their love for the Rail Runner
18 XPRESS | MARCH
Recently, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District
sought out true stories from people using the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express or its connecting buses.
Below, the winner and honorable mentions from the
essay contest. The winner received a month-long Rail
Runner pass, with the honorable mentions taking
home a day pass.
WINNER
A life-changing wreck
A glance in the rear view mirror gave me only seconds of
warning before the sickening thud. A young lady, cell phone in
hand, jumped out of her pickup to check on me after rear-ending
my car. I was all right, but my car was totaled, and her insurance
didnt cover all the damage. After that incident, I was unnerved
about driving in rush hour traffic, as well as anxious to cut my
bloated, $250-a-month gasoline bill. Considering the possible
transportation alternatives, I decided to learn more about the
Rail Runner.
I discovered there was a Rail Runner station where my
husband could drop me off on his way to work. Once I arrived at
my destination, it would be an easy transition to catch a shuttle
bus to work. Buying a monthly pass would reduce the costs of
my commute even more, and I could even purchase the ticket
online. With the click of a button, I was ready to begin my Rail
Runner adventure.
Since my first commute by train a year and a half ago, I have
been so pleased with my decision to ride the Rail Runner. I
love the amenities on the train, such as a convenient restroom,
drinking water with available paper cups, multiple seating levels,
tables with plug-in outlets for electronic devices, and even
Internet connections for wireless computers.
Riding the Rail Runner gives me time to do other things
as well. Since I dont have to worry about watching the road
while driving, I can read, catch up paperwork, talk safely on
my cell phone, or even nap along the way. I also love gazing at
the scenery, especially where the railway tracks part with the
highway and venture through quiet pastoral landscapes that auto
commuters seldom see.
The Rail Runner is stylishly designed with tokens of its
roadrunner icon visible everywhere from the exterior of the train
even to the woven upholstery. I also smiled the first time I heard
the beep-beep of the trains closing doors, so reminiscent of a
famous cartoon roadrunners voice. The train crew is professional,
efficient, helpful and knowledgeable, yet personable. I have
also thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with other regular
commuters, who make the daily ride even more pleasant and
enjoyable.
When my family came to visit recently, I couldnt resist taking
them on the Rail Runner to Santa Fe for a day of sightseeing, and
they were completely charmed with their experience on the train
as well.
For me, traveling on the Rail Runner just makes good sense.
Not only has it reduced my cost of commuting by 80 percent,
but I also feel good about contributing to a greener environment.
There is a sense of peacefulness and safety about riding the Rail
Runner that does not exist in the frantic world of congested
freeway traffic.
That crash on the highway was unpleasant, but fortuitous,
because it led me to a great new transit experience, the
Rail Runner.
REBECCA HARGROVE
RI O RANCHO
HONORABLE MENTION
A friendly ride
I know it has been said that the Rail Runner is a big waste of
money but public transportation was not meant to make money.
If you heard some of the stories that people can tell about their
commute or get to know some of them, I think it would change
your mind.
I started riding the train when it first came on line because it
was free. It was a fun novelty, but quickly I realized how much
money I was saving by taking the train to work every day. When
the gas prices went as high as $4 a gallon, it was a life-saver. My
husband and I were spending a fortune in gas in just one week.
On average now, I am saving about $135 per month in gas and
parking. I love it because there are so many other things I can do
with the extra money.
In the summer of 2009 my son was hurt in a motorcycle
accident. I did not ride the train for about two weeks while he
was in the hospital. The people I ride with every day really rallied
around me and were so supportive when I returned. I hardly
knew these people, and they were praying for us, always asking
for my son, giving us greeting cards, money and gift cards. Wow,
I was floored.
Now I am friends with many of these people. We have formed
bonds and friendships over the years. When someone stops riding
the train because they have moved, were laid off, or retired, it really
MARCH | XPRESS 19
affects us. The people on the train are like an extended family.
There are lots of reasons why people choose to take the train. It
saves money, they dont have other transportation, parking is an
issue where they work, convenience, energy savings, camaraderie,
and better than the bus. Mine is just one story out of hundreds.
DEBBY ESTVANKO
RI O RANCHO
You can count on the train
Early mornings you will find me waiting by the tracks anxiously
listening for the sound of ringing bells. Most say there are only two
things in life that you can count on; death and taxes, but for the
past four months I have come to realize there is one more thing
I can add to that list, The New Mexico Rail Runner Express! My
journey is roundtrip during the weekdays. Through the snow, rain,
sun, open doors and friendly staff, I push through to find my seat.
The train has a feeling of safety and power that allows my mind to
relax comfortably.
Preparing for each trip by double checking for my ticket, keys,
cell phone, and blanket, I board in Albuquerque and journey to
Santa Fe in the dark. Once arriving at my destination before sunrise,
I take a trek to my office, which is located about four blocks from
the station. I enjoy the walk to and from the station. It gives me
time to prepare my mind for work and then time at the end of the
day to leave my work uncertainties behind.
I can always count on the train staff to keep us aware of any
schedule changes and delays. I can rest on the train comfortably
knowing I am in good hands. At first I was a little reluctant to miss
out on three hours of travel time per day but lately, I have learned
to spend the time wisely.
Reading, writing, listening to music, resting and personal time to
think is very beneficial for the soul. I enjoy my journey more and
more each time I make it.
Environmentally, economically and personally, I choose the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express!
CEDAR MAE SORRELL
A reunion of friends
Even though Id been dozing off and on from the downtown
Alvarado Station to Albuquerques North Valley stop and merely
lifted one eyelid to scan the new boarders on the early morning
commute, I wasnt particularly shocked to find an old friend sitting
across from me on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
She looked the same as when I last saw her a good 40 years
ago, when we were in music school together. Delightful as it was,
our reunion was hushed. Both of us had been commuting for years
by car, bus and now by train and could see retirement as the
light at the end of the tunnel. Weathering what could sometimes
be a wearing routine caused both of us to avoid disturbing the
exquisite regular breathing of sleeping travelers on the dawn train
to Santa Fe.
The years flew by as we caught up on decades of individual
developments. As the train passed the Bernalillo/Highway 550
stop, my friend quietly re-lived her graduation, regular church
performances, concerts, marriage, divorce, introduced her niece,
nephew and cat, and moved to her career in information technology.
By Kewa, I had graduated, abandoned piano performance
except as a hobby, married and divorced twice, became a mom
and a grandmother, got a cat and turned to my current career.
By Highway 599, we both had dabbled in various philosophical
and political groups. By the South Capitol station, we detailed
how many dollars wed saved riding the Railrunner. Then we said
our goodbyes and, as we did some 40 years ago, affirmed to each
other that no composer for piano was as strong, enriching and
transcendent as Brahms.
The hundreds of commuters on the dawn Rail Runner to Santa
Fe share a special space and a special experience. Their lives are as
varied as their faces, but they become neighbors aboard the train.
When our fellow villagers on the train opened their eyes that
morning, they woke to friends too, whether or not they knew it
among them, two aging pianists crossing paths and decades who
appreciated watching them sleep, wake and nod off again.
Since encountering my well-preserved old friend on the dawn
train, Ive figured out that the life on a routine commute on
the train in New Mexico is not a stifling limitation on the Big
Adventures of life; its part of the adventure and offers its own
pleasures and surprises.
Just as the landscape seems to roll by the commuters seat on the
Rail Runner, life can seem to flow by all around us, but thats just
an illusion. Life does not pass us by as we age. On parallel tracks
with friends and loved ones, we lead our lives, traveling along and
heading to the next stop.
JENNIE LUSK
ALBUQUERQUE
C
L
Y
D
E
M
U
E
L
L
E
R
20 XPRESS | MARCH
CHANGING HABITS
STORY BY SEAN BRANDER
PHOTOS BY CLYDE MUELLER
Every weekday, 40,000 University of New Mexico
students, faculty and staff stream across Albuquerque
on their way to campus. Just more than 7 percent of
them live close enough to walk. Another 23,000, or 58
percent, drive their car, usually alone in their vehicle.
The remainder, about 14,000, commute by alternative
means such as buses, bicycles or the New Mexico
Rail Runner Express.
These numbers represent significant improvement from just
a few years ago. In 2004, 78.5 percent of students, faculty and
staff more than 31,000 people drove to school in what are
commonly referred to as single occupancy vehicles (SOVs).
To Robert Nelson, the associate director of UNMs parking
and transportation services, a 20 percent decrease in SOV use is
just the beginning. Our big push is to entice more members of
the UNM community to use public transit, he said.
UNM has much to gain from taking more vehicles off the
road. According to Nelson, 30 percent of the schools carbon
emissions originate from commutes by the schools employees
and students. Over the next several years, new buildings and
residence halls will consume even more of the schools limited
With 40,000 commuters, UNM pushes new ways to get around
Catching the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is becoming a way of life for some college students including (from right) Eric Justin Gonzales and
Lela Montoya of Santa Fe. Gonzales is a Capitol High graduate and freshman at the University of New Mexico, while Montoya is a sophomore at
UNM who graduated from Santa Fe High.
MARCH | XPRESS 21
parking area (the campus has only 3,800 surface parking spots).
Taking public transit has a multiplier effect, Nelson said. With
no car, theres no emissions, theres less congestion, and theres more
freeing up of campus surface area. Improving in this area is one of our
best ways to commit to sustainability.
How did UNM change the commuting habits of one-fifth of its
population? And how will university officials slash the number of
solo car commuters even further? I have a feeling weve already
picked the low-hanging fruit, Nelson said. However, were aiming
for another 10 percent dent in single-occupancy-vehicle use in the
next five years. UNM will push its existing transit policies as well as
put in place a host of new initiatives to make alternative transit more
attractive to horseless carriage holdouts.
Chief among them is the free ABQ Ride transit pass. This pass
entitles students to unlimited free rides on any city bus at any time,
including the three Rapid Ride express routes. Taken together, the
green, blue, and red Rapid Rides connect UNM to downtown, the
west side and uptown. The buses come more often than the average
bus and stop less often, cutting travel time.
Since the pass was introduced, Nelson said he has seen full
busloads heading to and from packed campus stops. Nelson himself
takes the Rapid Ride most every morning from his home in Rio
Rancho. He sees students taking advantage of the free onboard
WiFi to do homework or wander the Internet. (Taking the bus) is
a great way to relax, get caught up, and not fight the traffic, he said.
(According to ABQ Ride data, there were 115,000 rides from UNM
this past September, the most recent month for which figures are
available).
This is a win-win partnership, agreed Veronica Valencia, ABQ
Rides public information officer. The free pass helps provide bus
access in a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way. Yes, it
helps us increase ridership, but it also helps people think differently
about alternative transportation and plants the idea of using
alternative transportation for other activities than just commuting.
Valenica admitted that living her whole life in Albuquerque, she
drove everywhere. The first time she took the bus, she said, she
gained an appreciation of what riders go through and what they need
from ABQ Ride. Youre very vulnerable, standing there waiting,
not knowing if you missed the bus, if the bus is coming, she said.
As well as expanding service later into the night and into weekends
for heavily used buses such as the 66, which trawls up and down
Central, ABQ Ride is installing GPS-linked bus trackers at certain
Robert Nelson (in black overcoat) waits to board his Rapid Ride bus home from his job as associate director of parking and transportation at the
University of New Mexico. Nelson, who is an advocate of reducing car traffic on the university campus, takes the bus most days from his home in
Rio Rancho.
22 XPRESS | MARCH
stops, Valencia said. ABQ Ride is also looking into a citywide text
messaging-based tracking system so riders will always know when the
next bus is coming.
Its also daunting to look at the schedule and the map, Valencia
said, adding that ABQ Rides new online trip planner at planyourride.
cabq.gov can help, reducing even the most convoluted commute into
four easy steps. Were lucky to be able to expand and do whatever
we can to make the rider experience better, she said.
UNMs new Transportation Information Center, on the student
unions plaza level, aims to help University-bound commuters ease
their way into taking more public transit. In addition to issuing
those free bus passes and assisting with trip planning, the centers
Bicycles and skateboards are other forms of alternative transportation
that reduce car and truck traffic at the University of New Mexico.
SMART BUSINESS
PARTNERS
In 2009, in order to better manage traffic congestion
and develop new ways to curb single occupancy vehicle
use, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District applied for
a travel demand management grant from the federal
government. Two years and $321,000 federal dollars
later, the transit district is starting to put the program
into practice and change how local businesses operate.
Christened the Smart Business Partnership, the grant
allows Rio Metro to educate businesses and their
employees on ways to use alternative transportation
to become greener and more efficient in their daily
commutes. As a first step, Rio Metro hosted a breakfast
kickoff open to all regional businesses with 50 or
more employees late last year. According to Jay
Faught, Rio Metros marketing manager, 55 businesses
attended and 25 immediately signed up, representing
a commitment that could green the commutes of some
40,000 employees.
The program works through a system of certifications
and rewards. If businesses meet a minimum amount
of qualifications such as providing employees with
bike racks, posting transit schedules in the workplace,
paying for a portion of an employees public transit
pass, or a myriad number of other options depending
on whether a business goal is bronze, silver, or gold
certification theyll be rewarded with free logo
placement or recognition in the Xpress magazine, on
buses, at transit stops, even on the radio or television.
Gold-level partners also earn discounted Rail Runner
passes for their employees.
The current federal grant will supply Rio Metro with
program funds through at least 2015. Beyond that
point the transit authority must demonstrate both
effort toward and success in changing the areas travel
dynamics. So long as employees report that they are
altering their commuting habits for the greener, grant
money could continue ABQ Ride has had a similar
grant in effect since the 1990s.
Our goal this first year is just to work with as many
businesses as possible, Faught said. Any business that
wants to be part of the program can contact us, and
well come over and give a presentation about how the
program works.
MARCH | XPRESS 23
staff can provide information on carpooling, bike lockers, and Zipcar
rental (more on that later).
Trish Castle, a sophomore English major, works part-time in the
information center. Mainly what we deal with is a lot of students
who are tired of driving, she said. Originally from Moriarty, she now
lives close enough to bike and walk to campus, although many of her
hometown friends have resigned themselves to day after day of life
behind the wheel.
Its expensive to drive, she said. University parking can be
upwards of $120 a month. But students are still afraid of the bus.
They dont understand it. Castle said that some students avoid
certain buses because they have a reputation for carrying homeless
people. We can suggest alternate routes, but theres really no reason
to be afraid.
UNM needs to market its transit programs more aggressively,
Castle said, especially the free bus pass. (The school) isnt getting
through, she said. People are apathetic and unless theyre spoon-fed
these programs theyll never do it.
Naomi Gibbons, a senior art studio major, said she wants better
bus service. If the bus was more reliable and stopped at and went
to more places in the city I would use it more often, she said. But
Albuquerque is not the best city for transportation in general.
Gibbons boyfriend, Bennett Einbender, agreed with Castle that the
school needs to do more to inform students of their options. I found
out about the (transit pass) from a friend, he said.
While most of her friends commute by car, Gibbons does have a
few who come via the Rail Runner. The total percentage of school
commuters who take the train is tiny, just 2.2 percent, but it has
proved to be beneficial to students from Santa Fe and elsewhere
along the service corridor.
The Rail Runner is very important its the spine of the transit
system, said Jay Faught, marketing manager for the Rio Metro
Sophomore Trish Castle helps junior Amber Coronado with a bus pass at the universitys Transportation Information Center. Mainly, Castle says,
what we deal with is a lot of students who are tired of driving.
Another transportation alternative at the University of New Mexico is
the Zipcar, a car-sharing service that members can rent by the hour.
24 XPRESS | MARCH
Regional Transit District. Many of the bus routes connect to it.
As part of its new Smart Business Partnership program (see
sidebar) Rio Metro has been working closely with UNM to
help the school realize its alternative transportation aspirations.
Because UNM has earned the highest possible level of certification
in the new program, accomplished by providing its employees
and students with carpool parking spaces, commuter incentive
programs, flexible work policies and other benefits, UNM can
provide discounted Rail Runner passes. These passes are available
for purchase at the Transportation Information Center. To
encourage more train use, UNM provides a free, twice-daily
shuttle to and from the downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner
station.
One of the most important things UNM, Rio Metro, and ABQ
Ride have done together is conduct a dialogue with city planners
and developers about what kind of city Albuquerque becomes in
the future.
(Transportation) is a university issue for sure, Nelson said, but
its also a regional issue. Most people who commute to UNM,
Nelson said, live more than six miles from campus. Worse, many
UNM employees and students dont live in areas serviced by public
transportation.
Our folks are scattered all over the city and not everyone has
access to buses, Nelson said. We have to engage our partners so
we can come up with an answer to sprawl and a plan for improved
access. Im optimistic that we can.
Building a more public-transportation ready city includes
developing a more pedestrian-friendly environment, Nelson said,
making road crossing easier and less hazardous. It also means laying
down more bike paths and better connecting those that already
exist, ensuring that cyclists dont have to cross busy six-lane roads
to continue their commutes. Thats a disincentive right there,
Nelson chuckled.
Providing students with ever-more bike racks and secure rental
lockers is just one way UNM is trying to cultivate a more vigorous
campus cycling culture. The university is also in talks to establish
a bike sharing service so students have access to two-wheeled
transport whenever they need it. The campus bike shop also offers
discounted bike maintenance and repair.
To meet a similar only-when-you-need-it transportation niche,
UNM is now host to a four-car fleet of Zipcars. The car sharing
service, popular in many of the nations larger cities where owning
a car is cost- and space-prohibitive, allows members to rent a
sporty ride an hour at a time to run errands, go out, or just get
around the city when every other option is too inconvenient. In
addition to hourly or daily rates, members pay a yearly fee to use
the cars and can reserve them online in advance. The rental cost
covers gas, insurance and mileage.
The brightly colored Veggie Bus is the University of New Mexicos first waste-vegetable oil powered vehicle, offering another green ride on
campus. It was started in 2009 by the UNM Parking and Transportation Service.
MARCH | XPRESS 25
26 XPRESS | MARCH
MARCH | XPRESS 27
BY TODD BAILEY
With gas prices flowing well over $3 a gallon, Juliette
Sanchez wanted to leave her vehicle at home and
find an alternative mode of transportation. It
turned out to be pretty easy, because there
is a bus stop outside of her Northeast
Albuquerque home.
Sanchez, who works at Tucanos Brazilian Grill
in downtown Albuquerque, uses the ABQ
Ride bus system to travel to work. What she
soon realized was that going to and from work
isnt the only convenience the bus service
provides.
Its so easy to get to anywhere in the city,
Sanchez said. I take care of my four nieces
and nephews four days a week and we use
the bus system to go everywhere: parks,
museums, the mall and the zoo. They love
riding the bus and I love riding it as well.
But Albuquerque residents arent the only ones
who can benefit from the city bus system.
With the New Mexico Rail Runner Express,
residents from Santa Fe to Belen can participate
in what the Duke City has to offer without filling
their gas tank. Even out-of-state visitors, arriving
at the Albuquerque International Sunport, can
enjoy a vacations worth of restaurants, events and
attractions without renting a car.
There are approximately two dozen bus routes
in Albuquerque and most of them connect with
the downtown ABQ Ride station, which is next
to a Rail Runner station.
Whats even better is that the Rail Runner provides
a bus day pass to anyone who rides it into Albuquerque,
Sanchez said. Even if you dont take the train, the daily bus pass is
$2. And that can take you anywhere in the city on any bus for that
day.
Just make sure you have exact change, because the bus drivers
ACROSS ALBUQUERQUE
Train, buses make getting around the city easier
CLYDE MUELLER
Commuters are turning to bus transportation as a way to save money as gas prices rise. New Mexico Rail Runner Express riders get a free day pass
for the bus with their train ride.
28 XPRESS | MARCH
wont break your $20 bill.
There are three types of ABQ Ride routes to choose from, Regular,
Commuter and the popular Rapid Ride routes.
Regular routes give local all-day service throughout the Metro
area. Commuter routes take place during peak travel hours. Rapid
Ride routes offer a fast, frequent service to such destinations as
the Albuquerque Museum and the New Mexico Museum of
Natural History, the University of New Mexico, the Nob Hill area,
Albuquerque Uptown and the Coronado Mall.
The bus connections are a key to the Rail Runner, said Jay
Faught, Rail Runner marketing manager. The Rail Runner is the
spine of the transportation network and all of the bus connections
are feeder routes that feed into the train.
And as society turns more environmentally friendly, some
Albuquerque hotels are using this mass transit system to encourage
visitors to enjoy a weekend getaway without the use of their car.
The Hotel Andaluz, just two blocks from the Rail Runner station,
now offers a Ride the Rails package. It includes two round-trip Rail
Runner tickets, breakfast for two, and complimentary passes to the
hotels Ibiza and Casablanca entertainment venues and the New
Mexico Sports and Wellness Fitness Center.
Whats great about this kind of package is how it all ties in
together, Bradbury said. People can come from out of town to
watch an event at Popejoy Hall. They can stay at our hotel and
enjoy the restaurants and venues we offer and it can be a delightful
weekend.
The Hard Rock Casino and Hotel, which has its own Rail Runner
stop, has conducted packages centered on holidays like New Years Eve
for visitors to enjoy. Another package includes VIP shuttle service to
and from The Pavilion, Albuquerques popular concert venue.
People who use the shuttle service dont have to worry about
fighting through long traffic lines and then pay for a parking spot,
said George San Miguel, convention services manager. The food and
drink lines in the VIP tent are much shorter and if some people drink
a little too much, we are able to keep them off the roads when the
event is over. They then have the option of staying the night as well.
Sanchez said that accessing ABQ Ride route information is easy as
calling the information line at 311 or visiting its website, www.cabq.
gov/transit.
You can get information on all the routes, but one service thats
nice is the trip planner, Sanchez said. You can decide on what
places you want to visit and the service will plan a route to each stop,
giving you times and which bus to take. Those services are what
keeps people from getting too confused about which bus to take.
Through the Rail Runner and the ABQ Ride bus system, visitors
and Albuquerque residents can enjoy everything the Duke City has
to offer. And it will cost less than a tank of gas.
DETAILS
ABQ Ride provides more than 40 bus routes to get visitors or
patrons to destinations throughout Albuquerque. The most popular
are the four Rapid Ride routes that connect the downtown area to
Albuquerques east, west and southwest sides and provide service
to the night life events in the city. Depending on the route, the day
and the time of year, service times range from 5: 30 a.m.-2:30
a.m. For more information, visit www.cabq.gov/transit.
ABQ RIDE Route 766: Rapid Ride Red Line. This route travels along
Central Avenue from Unser to Louisiana, then north on Louisiana
to the Uptown shopping district. It connects to such destinations as
the BioPark, Old Town, the downtown area, Presbyterian Hospital,
the University of New Mexico, Nob Hill, the state fairgrounds, the
international market and the Uptown shopping area.
ABQ RIDE Route 777: Rapid Ride Green Line. This route connects
Albuquerques southeastern communities to UNMs main campus
and the downtown area along Central Avenue from Tramway. It
connects to the downtown area, Presbyterian Hospital, UNM, Nob
Hill and the state fairgrounds.
ABQ RIDE Route 790: Rapid Ride Blue Line connects Albuquerques
west side to the UNM main campus. It provides access from
the west side to: te Northwest Transit Center, Cottonwood Mall,
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Motano Plaza, Old
Town, the downtown courthouses and UNM hospitals.
RAPID AFTER DARK: Rapid After Dark is a late-night extension of
the Rapid Ride Red Line service along Central Avenue. Rapid After
Dark runs every Friday and Saturday night from June 4 through
Sept. 25.
A GREENER HARD ROCK CASINO
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has decided that a greener
business is a better business. In addition to providing a free
shuttle that ferries both guests and employees to and from the
Isleta Rail Runner station in time for every train arrival and
departure, the casino has pursued other policies to encourage
less car use and greater energy efficiency.
The hotel industry as a whole is realizing that cutting
carbon footprints is good, said George San Miguel, Hard
Rocks event manager. Its amazing, some meeting planners
wont look at a location that isnt green, they wont bother.
To that end, the casinos kitchen has begun to recycle its
grease for biofuel, while the casino floor has been trying harder
to recycle more of its cardboard. On the golf course, managers
are looking into making the jump to a fleet of all electric carts.
The biggest carbon cuts come from encouraging more
of Hard Rocks 1600 employees to leave their cars at home
difficult when the casino isnt on an ABQ Ride bus line.
By allowing employees flexibility in their work schedules,
more of them are taking the train, no longer concerned with
arriving at 8 a.m. on the dot. After the casino put together an
organized carpool signup, more employees have chosen that
option as well. Persuaded that the casino is truly committed to
nurturing its green side, more and more employees have been
coming forward and expressing interest in contributing to the
initiative, San Miguel said.
Little by little, were all doing what we can, he said.
MARCH | XPRESS 29
30 XPRESS | MARCH
BY KAY LOCKRIDGE
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is all about
green and that goes beyond providing alternative
transportation. The commuter train also is trying to use
green energy whenever possible, including harnessing the
power of the sun.
Its called photovoltaics, defined by NASA as the direct conversion of
(sun) light into electricity at the atomic level. Some materials exhibit a
property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb
photons of light and release electrons. When these free electrons are
captured, an electric current results that can be used as electricity.
As designed for the real world by Positive Energy Inc., of Santa Fe,
installations of photovoltaics are producing upward of 85 percent of
the power used at three Rail Runner stations: South Capitol in Santa
Fe, Sandoval County/U.S. 550 and Belen.
Jay Faught, marketing manager for the Rio Metro Regional Transit
District that operates the Rail Runner, said the South Capitol
photovoltaics system went online in August 2009, while the two
newest projects have been completed since the first of this year.
These two stations (Belen and 550) were selected due to their
high number of riders, the stations high visibility to the populations
of two different counties and high parking volumes, Faught said.
Photovoltaics are a win-win proposition for the Rail Runner, its
riders and New Mexico taxpayers in terms of cost savings and the
environment.
The overall cost of the latest projects is $500,000, with grant funds
from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, co-sponsored
by the U.S. Department of Energy and the New Mexico Energy
Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The remaining $64,000
funding was provided by the transit district through in-kind services.
The systems are projected to save the Regional Transit District
approximately $27,000 per year.
Environmental benefits include an estimated 107,000 pounds of
CO2 and 33,400 gallons of water saved annually. By encouraging car-
pooling, fewer vehicles will be on the road, Faught said.
Photovoltaics panels are mounted atop carports that will provide
covered parking for commuters, particularly car-poolers (two or more
adults in one vehicle). This parking is on a first-come, first-served basis,
and there is no charge. Sandoval County/550 has three such structures,
accommodating 18 cars, while Belen provides four shade structures
with parking for approximately 24 cars. The funding also includes
putting in bicycle lockers, which will be available this spring.
Tony Sylvester, transit district photovoltaics project manager, said
the bicycle lockers are lockable metal or fiberglass boxes (in) which a
single bicycle can be placed and stored at the Rail Runner platforms.
There will be a minimal or no charge for the lockers.
This program will directly address the bicycle overcrowding and
will encourage commuters to leave their bikes at the stations, Sylvester
said, which they currently are hesitant to do for fear of vandalism,
theft and weather damage. Bicycle riders may bring their bikes onto the
trains as upward of 250 bicycle riders do on some days but this can
become problematic as warm weather approaches.
Positive Energy Inc., a 13-year-old Santa Fe-based company,
designed the solar power system and oversaw the installations
of shades constructed by Modulus Design of Albuquerque and
panels created and assembled by Schott Solar, also of Albuquerque.
Autotroph of Santa Fe designed the carport structures.
Claudia Pavel, director of sales for Positive Energy, suggested that
an additional benefit of the photovoltaics project was the use of
locally and statewide owned companies that provide jobs for New
Mexicans throughout the Rail Runner line. She noted that eight
current employees of Positive Energy are graduates of San Juan
College in Farmington.
San Juan College has one of the best if not the best
renewable energy programs in the country, Pavel said. The one-year
program provides a degree in renewable energy technologies.
While there are no immediate plans for retrofitting other
stations, Sylvester said, future proposals will be considered when
time and money permit. With the cost and energy savings are proved
by these three stations, all agreed, photovoltaics will be the energy
choice for the future.
Theres no better place than New Mexico to convert sunlight
into electricity, according to Dewey Cave, executive director of the
Mid-Region Council of Governments. This emerging technology
has numerous environmental and economic benefits. It make perfect
sense to pair it with the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, which
also is a clean, efficient and environmentally friendly system.
PHOTOS BY CLYDE MUELLER
Allan Sindelar, president of Positive Energy Inc. of Santa Fe, with solar
panels his company installed at the Santa Fe South Capitol Rail Runner
Station.
GRABBING RAYS
RAIL RUNNERS
PHOTOVOLTAICS PROJECT
HARNESSES SUN
MARCH | XPRESS 31
32 XPRESS | MARCH
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10
11 12 13 14
15
16 17 18 19 20 21
22
23 24 25 26
27 28
29 30 31
32 33
34 35 36
37
38 39 40 41
42 43 44 45
46 47
Across
1 One of the Leeward Islands
5 Portuguese town where
the historical monument, The
Monastery of Jesus is located
9 Make lace
11 Type of route used by
Marco Polo
12 French brandy
15 Wine label info
16 Seafood delicacy
18 Buddhist building
20 Contemporary
22 Milan opera house, La
____
23 Eithers alternate
24 Make a mistake on the
beach (2 words)
27 It precedes one
29 Danish city thats the
birthplace of Hans Christian
Andersen
30 Intriguing Australian
mammal
32 Greeting
33 Baltic, for one
34 Mary-Kate to Ashley
35 Aesthetic creator
36 Bird venerated by ancient
Egyptians
38 Study of the relationship
between living things and their
environment
40 Raft used for a journey to
Easter Island (2 words)
42 Hurried
43 ___ dreaming? (2
words)
45 Chile __ carne
46 Barbados town, full of
character
47 That is
Down
1 The Green Island is the
major island in this Iberian
archipelago
2 Irish tourist attraction (3
words)
3 Volcanic island group
4 After sunset (2 words)
5 Every town has one at least,
abbr.
6 Iliad city
7 Trendy travel themed
clothing company (2 words)
8 Genevan water body
10 Billboard feature
13 Giant conglomerate which
started in electricity
14 __ we there yet?
17 Prefix with tourism
19 Isle of Man capital
21 Water-logged
25 Vane dir.
26 Former Roman Empire
town in England
28 Plastic ___ Band
29 Seafood favorite
30 Canadian province, for
short
31 Must-see Italian chapel
33 Reside for a night, say (2
words)
35 Beside
37 Skiers delight
39 White ___ (wave)
40 Gear
41 Colorful fish
44 Manuscript, for short
CROSSWORD BY MYLES MELLOR
ALL ABOARD PUZZLES
7 5 9 4
8 1 3
3 7 1 9 5
6 8
4 1 9 6
4 7
1 9 7 4 2
5 7 6
2 3 5 4
Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided
into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle each row,
column and box must contain each of the numbers 1-9.
Level: medium
SUDOKU BY MYLES MELLOR AND SUSAN FLANAGAN
Answers can be found on page 34.
MARCH | XPRESS 33
BY SANDRA BALTAZAR MARTNEZ
For the past couple years, Jos Armenta has been
feeling lucky.
Three years ago he met the woman who is now his wife; Hes kept
a steady job through the economic recession and in January, he
won a yearlong pass to ride the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Thats because Armenta became the trains four millionth rider
on Jan. 19.
I heard my name over the intercom and then I had people
taking my picture. It was a surprise, said Armenta, 41, who rides
the train to and from Los Ranchos to Santa Fe. I thought, they
have the wrong guy, Im not Luis Miguel, Armenta said jokingly,
referring to one of Mexicos biggest pop stars.
Armenta, a landscaper, had been driving to Santa Fe from his
Albuquerque home for at least three years, but dreaded the drive
during winter, he said.
Now he takes the train and his boss, Hiram Lpez, owner of
Lpez Landscaping and Trees, picks him up every morning from
the Rail Runner 599 station.
I live in La Cienega, so its convenient, Lpez said. And hes
my best worker, hes the best worker Ive had, so I dont mind.
Armenta has been working with Lpez for five years. Lpez said
hes glad Armenta won the one-year pass because the winter has
stalled projects and that translates into less money per paycheck.
The pass is worth $110.
The Rail Runner carries an average of 4,000 commuters each
weekday and runs a 100-mile stretch from Belen to Santa Fe.
With gas prices on the rise again, it is no surprise that the Rail
Runner is seeing its four-millionth rider in less than a years time,
said Transportation Secretary Designate Alvin C. Dominguez in a
news release. This celebration is a way to thank those passengers
who choose the train for their daily commute.
Winning the prize made Armenta feel even more optimistic.
Hes got a nice life, he said. He and his wife, Andrea Armenta,
travel whenever they can to visit family and friends in Mexico and
in the United States. Their children each has two kids from
a previous marriage get along. And his wife Andrea, loves to
dance and attend family events.
But the big goal, he said, is to win the lottery. Hes confident it
will happen soon after all, he is feeling lucky.
This is going to be the year that I will succeed, Armenta said.
I started off the year great and I have been fortunate.
4 MILLION AND COUNTING
Los Ranchos-to-Santa Fe-commuter wins yearlong pass
COURTESY PHOTO
Jos Armenta, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express four millionth
rider, takes the train from Los Ranchos to Santa Fe for work.
34 XPRESS | MARCH
A N T I G U A S E T U B A L
Z H A T A T R A A
O V E R L A N D C O G N A C
R B A I Y E A R
E E L P A G O D A N E W
S C A L A H O A E
O R G E T S U N B U R N T
N O O N G A E
O D E N S E P L A T Y P U S
Y Y O S E A H U I
S I S A R T I S T I B I S
T T L A S L T
E C O L O G Y K O N T I K I
R A N N A M I O C O N
S P E I G H T S T O W N I E
7 1 6 5 9 3 4 2 8
2 5 9 4 8 6 1 7 3
3 8 4 2 7 1 6 9 5
6 7 5 8 2 9 3 4 1
4 2 1 3 5 7 9 8 6
9 3 8 6 1 4 2 5 7
1 9 3 7 4 8 5 6 2
5 4 7 1 6 2 8 3 9
8 6 2 9 3 5 7 1 4
PUZZZLE ANSWERS
CROSSWORD ANSWERS
SUDOKU SOLUTION
GET GOING BY TRAIN
Havent ridden the Rail Runner yet? Try a train ride
this spring to events happening up and down the New
Mexico Rail Runner Express corridor. Check the train
schedule to coordinate your trip.
NATIONAL FIERY FOODS & BBQ SHOW
Sandia Casino and Resort
(Get off at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center station and
take the Sandia shuttle. You need to reserve the shuttle
in advance by calling 505-796-7779.)
March 4, 5 and 6. Visit www.fieryfoodsshow.com/ for
information about hours and admission cost.
NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT WEEK
Santa Fes week is March 6-March 13, while
Albuquerque picks up March 13-20. You can ride the
train to and from dinner, whereever you decide to dine
out. Check out participating restaurant and complete
details at www.nmrestaurantweek.com/.
SPRING PASTELS FLOWER SHOW
Albuquerque Biological Park
April 2-April 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Albuquerque
Botanic Gardens Mediterranean Conservatory. Included
with admission. Call 505-848-7112.
NATIVE TREASURES
The kick-off for Santa Fes summer season moves
back to Memorial Day Weekend in 2011, showcasing
museum-quality Native arts in Santa Fes convention
center. The show takes place May 28-29 at the Santa Fe
Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., just a
few blocks from the downtown train station. Find out
more at www.nativetreasuressantafe.org/.
COURTESY
Fine dining is part of Restaurant Weeks allure. Above, Andiamo!
of Santa Fe.
Santa Fes Finest Specialty Mall
500 Montezuma Avenue
The Historic Railyard District
Next to Rail Runners Santa Fe Depot
505.989.9390 www.sanbusco.com Santa Fe
Historic Setting ...
Now Contemporary Shopping and Dining
1880s
2010
BODHI BAZAAR BORDERS CHAPARE COST PLUS WORLD MARKET DELL FOX JEWELRY EIDOS CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY
EL TESORO CAFE GET IT TOGETHER KIOTI MV FOLK ART NIGHT AND DAY BY ACC ON YOUR FEET ON YOUR LITTLE FEET PANDORAS
PLAY PRANZO ITALIAN GRILL THE REEL LIFE RISTRA RESTAURANT SANTA FE PENS SOULFULSILKS TECA TU TERRA BELLA WINK
Visit our New Historic Display on
Santa Fe Builders Supply Co. and The Railyard District!