by Michael Montalvo
Daily Lobo
Students who commute from the West Side can sit back and surf the Internet if they ride Rapid Ride.
The city extended the Rapid Ride bus service to Albuquerque's West Side on July 7.
Now is a great time to hop on the route and try it out, said Greg Payne, director of transit for the city.
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The service is free until Sept. 7, he said.
Rapid Ride will cost $1 for adults.
City buses - including Rapid Ride - will be free for UNM students starting Aug. 20.
The Rapid Ride Blue Line stretches from Monta§o Plaza, on Coors Boulevard and Monta§o Road, to two stops at the University: UNM Hospital and the corner of Central Avenue and Yale Boulevard.
The Blue Line runs every 15 minutes on weekdays.
Student Reginald Begay said the West Side route takes two hours out of his commute.
"It used to take me almost an hour and a half to get from Monta§o and Coors to UNM because I had to switch buses," he said. "Now, with the Blue Line, I can be on campus in less than 30 minutes."
Begay said he prefers Rapid Ride buses because they're more comfortable and have better air conditioning than other city buses.
Not many people have taken advantage of the route yet, but it will be successful, Payne said.
"We are about to launch an extensive ad campaign to let
people know about it," he said. "We have had a huge demand for more public transportation on Albuquerque's
West Side."
Rapid Ride Blue Line hours:
Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with pickups every 15 minutes.
Saturdays, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with pickups every 22 minutes.
Sundays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with pickups
every 33 minutes.
Rapid Ride Blue Line stops:
Coors Boulevard at Monta§o Road
Coors Boulevard at Dellyne Street
Coors Boulevard at St. Joseph's Drive
Coors Boulevard at Sequoia Road
Central Avenue and Rio Grande Boulevard
Lomas Boulevard at Fourth Street
Lomas Boulevard in front of UNM Hospital
Central Avenue and Yale Boulevard
Source: City of Albuquerque
