Rapid Ride service will run until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights this summer.
Bill Slauson, manager of planning and marketing of ABQ Ride, said the extended hours are part of the anti-DWI movement, but not the main focus.
Slauson said the city is marketing the service toward families, people on dates and employees working late hours.
Slauson said Rapid Ride's regular hours are between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
"The launch of Rapid Ride has been extremely successful," said Mayor Martin Ch†vez in a press release. "The extended hours will allow Albuquerque residents and visitors to leisurely have dinner and take in many of the entertainment venues along the route, without having to worry about time constraints."
Slauson said the cost of Rapid Ride will remain the same before and after dark, which is $1 for every four hours. Students can purchase a monthly pass for $12.
Student Cody Gauntt said the extended hours are a great idea.
"After leaving the bars, taxis can be so expensive," she said. "But if you can catch a ride on the bus it's safer, and you can count on a ride home."
Slauson said there will be security guards located on every Rapid Ride bus. Although they have not chosen a security service yet, a few are being considered. The money for security will come out of the city's transit budget operating fund.
"It will be one of a couple of groups-maybe APD officers working overtime," said Slauson. "It hasn't been decided yet."
Slauson said he is working closely with the Downtown Action Team and Nob Hill businesses to make the service more attractive than driving.
He said Rapid Ride will travel its entire length along Central Avenue, from Unser to Wyoming and I-40 to Uptown. Rapid Ride will run every 10 minutes until 8 p.m., and after that it will run every 20 minutes. The last pickup will be at 2:30 a.m.
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Slauson said he was unsure about how many people will use the service. He said the city has never had the service before, but there is a demand and a need.
"I think there will be a significant amount of people using the service," said Slauson. "It is a broad-base solution to a lot of different things. People won't be rushed or dictated to."
He said the service will continue through September and hopefully during the State Fair. He said it is possible the service could be year-round if there is demand for it.
"It will do the city good to have a late night service through the central corridor," Slauson said.
