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Survey Results Show Passengers Pleased with Rail Runner Service Nearly 50% of riders putting more money into savings “The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is a safe and economical way for commuters to travel and this survey is now proof,” said Secretary Faught. “The survey not only highlights passengers satisfaction with the train service, but the reasons why they are choosing to use it and the money they are able to save in doing so.” “We’ve always known the Rail Runner was going
to be a great service to the people of Nearly 600 surveys were collected from both new and veteran Rail Runner users in February. A vast majority of passengers, 78 percent, use the train to get to work. However, the remaining 22 percent use the commuter rail for various other reasons including to get to school, for leisure or social visits, for personal or business appointments, or to go shopping. Many passengers are loyal riders who began using the train when service started in July 2006, just as gas prices began to surge. In the summer of 2006 oil prices surpassed $75 a barrel, breaching records. According to the survey, ridership increased as gas prices went up. Today, the train averages about 2,000 passengers per day. Since day one, through April 30, 2008 the Rail Runner has serviced about 908,000 rides. With the price of gas and groceries continuing to rise, passengers are using their extra savings on a variety of items. As the economy continues to hit New Mexicans in their wallets, a majority of respondents, 57 percent, are either sticking their money into savings or using it to buy necessities such as groceries. However, about 15 percent put the extra cash aside for their children and another 10 percent enjoy the extra dough in their pockets by taking vacations or making a trip to the movies. Prior to the Rail Runner 73 percent of
respondents drove alone to make their trip and 14 percent carpooled,
and while 84 percent of respondents said they have a vehicle, they
prefer to take the Rail Runner. Others taking the train either don’t
have a vehicle, don’t know how to drive, or prefer not to buy a
vehicle because they would prefer to use the train. If the Rail Runner did not exist, most
passengers said they would revert back to driving. More than 80
percent would either drive alone or carpool, adding that many more
vehicles to The survey also demonstrates that the Rail Runner is for anyone. The income of those who ride the train ranged from less than $20,000 a year to more than $200,000 annually. While many people using the train lived in
areas close to stations in Albuquerque, Belen, Los Lunas and
Bernalillo, people traveled from as far as According to the survey, Rail Runner passengers travel to their station using a variety of methods. While a majority, 55 percent, drives alone in a vehicle, other methods include being dropped off, carpooling, taking a bus, riding a bike and walking to round off the other 45 percent. The Rail Runner is a major contributor to mass transit within the corridor. Nearly 50 percent of those taking the train, use a bus to get to their final destination. Others hop on an employee van or shuttle, bike or walk to get to where they are going. The wait for those catching the bus is no longer than 10 minutes on average. According to the survey, the top three reasons people are using the train is because it’s more relaxing than driving, it’s a better value than driving and it’s safer than driving. In addition to this, people noted that the train is also environmentally friendly, they are able to make a better use of their time by reading or working on the train, and it is faster than driving. Passengers also ranked the train high when it comes to issues such as travel time versus car, on-time arrivals, availability of seating on the train, safe operation of trains and courtesy of conductors and ticket agents. Contacts:
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