Rail Runner celebrates
Half-a-millionth Rider!
And the Winner is…
(Albuquerque, 7-5-07) morning following the arrival of the 7:35
Rail Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, Los Lunas
commuter Shawna Anderson became the half-a-millionth passenger to
ride the New Mexico Rail Runner Express! The 33-year-old New Mexico
Mortgage Finance Authority Program Specialist says she takes the
train into downtown Albuquerque and then walks a few blocks to her
job each day.
“Riding the Rail Runner takes the stress out of my life”, says
Anderson. “There’s no more rush-hour road rage, and I also enjoy the
fact that I get some exercise by walking from the station to the
office– it’s a great way to start and end my day!”
“Shawna, like many other Rail Runner passengers, has discovered the
convenience and enjoyment that commuting to work by train offers”,
says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of
Governments. “The bonus is the fact that she’s also saving about
150-dollars a month in gas alone – and that doesn’t even consider
the cost of day-to-day wear and tear on her vehicle. It really adds
up to a tremendous savings.”
The Rail Runner, which has become the fastest start-up of a commuter
rail train in the country in the past 20 years, currently carries
commuters between the Town of Bernalillo and the City of Belen, with
service to Santa Fe scheduled to be added late next year.
For the distinction of half-a-millionth passenger, Shawna was
rewarded with a goody bag of Rail Runner memorabilia, including a
scale model of the Rail Runner Express, and a certificate to ride
the train free for one month.
Contacts:
- Augusta Meyers, MRCOG Communications Mgr. 505-239-8612, ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
- S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of Transportation (505) 490-0976
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