NM Rail Runner Express Passengers Offered Free Admission to State Museums and Monuments

SANTA FE - December 13, 2008– The New Mexico Department of Transportation, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Mid-Region Council of Governments have teamed up to offer Rail Runner passengers and commuters free admission to select museums and monuments within the New Mexico Rail Runner Express corridor between Belen and Santa Fe beginning December 17.  

“Rail service to Santa Fe has been a long-time coming,” said Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught. “Through this partnership, we are providing an economic alternative form of transportation, in addition to showcasing some of New Mexico’s finest sights. Commuters, including tourists, will have an opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity of New Mexico’s museums and historic monuments just by presenting their fare ticket.”

“The Rail Runner will offer New Mexicans inexpensive and carefree travel,” said Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Stuart Ashman. “Our state-run museums in Albuquerque and Santa Fe are natural partners for this exciting new travel experience. We invite New Mexicans to ride the train and then enjoy free admission to their favorite state museum or monument on the Rail Runner route.”

“We tend to get in our own routines when we’ve lived in a place for many years, and I suspect that many New Mexico residents have never been to one of our state’s fine museums – nor tried the New Mexico Rail Runner Express,” said Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “This will give them a chance to experience both facilities, and perhaps enlighten them as to some of the great places and services they have access to - right in their own backyard!”

Rail Runner passengers are required to produce their tickets for the day they plan on visiting the museums or their train passes to gain free admission.

The following museums and state monuments are offering this deal for the next three months:

Santa Fe

New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors

105 West Palace Avenue, on the Plaza 

10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday

10:00 am – 8:00 pm Fridays

New Mexico Museum of Art

107 West Palace Avenue, on the Plaza

10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday

10:00 am – 8:00 pm Fridays

Museum of International Folk Art

706 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill

10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

710 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill

10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday

Albuquerque

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

1801 Mountain Road NW, near Old Town

9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, and on-holiday Mondays in January and September

National Hispanic Cultural Center

1701 Fourth Street S.W.

National Hispanic Cultural Center

10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday

State Monuments

Coronado State Monument

485 Kuaua Road

Located in Bernalillo, I-25, Exit 242

8:30 am – 5:00 pm Wednesday – Monday

Jemez State Monument

Jemez Springs Highway 4, 43 miles north of Bernalillo

8:30 am – 5:00 pm Wednesday – Monday 

Commuter service into Santa Fe is scheduled to officially begin on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, with weekday service and Saturday service available. The N.M. Rail Runner Express will also provide free weekend travel for New Mexicans each weekend through January 3 and 4.  Free admission to the listed museums will be available for the first three months through March 2009.