Maggie Ryan is the Three Millionth Passenger

UNM Student From Santa Fe Wins Annual Pass

(Albuquerque, NM – March 22, 2010)- This morning following the arrival of the 8:34 southbound Rail Runner train at the Downtown Albuquerque Station, commuter Maggie Ryan became the three millionth passenger to ride the New Mexico Rail Runner Express! The University of New Mexico graduate student says she boards the train at the Santa Fe Depot Station two to four times a week, and takes it into Downtown Albuquerque where she connects to the Rapid Ride to get to UNM.

“I love that I can get all my work done on the train, so it’s a very productive ride,” said Maggie.  “Since I started taking the Rail Runner, I’ve saved thousands of dollars.  In fact, I sold my car last November because I just didn’t need it anymore.” 

The Santa Fe resident says she’s been taking the train to school since the Rail Runner extended service to Santa Fe in December 2008.  Ryan says prior to hopping on the Rail Runner, she drove her car into Albuquerque everyday.  She says now she doesn’t have to worry about the crowded morning commute – she arrives to school relaxed with a her work done instead of being stressed.

“Maggie is a shining example of how commuters in our region can save money and help our environment by using public transportation,” said Transportation Secretary Gary L. J. Girón.  “She is just one of many New Mexicans who has realized the convenience and economic benefits of the Rail Runner.”

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 a daily average of approximately 4,500 commuters between the City of Santa Fe and the City of Belen. 

“It’s amazing that in less than four years, we’ve carried 3-million passengers to their destinations,” said Dewey Cave, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “That translates to more than 100 million vehicle miles taken off our roadways.”

For the distinction of three millionth passenger, Ryan was rewarded with a basket of Rail Runner items, including a pass to ride the train free for one year, a Three Millionth Passenger certificate and a gift bag that included Rail Runner pins, t-shirts, hats and other train merchandise.

 

Contacts: 

• , NM Rail Runner  505-414-5496, jfaught@mrcog-nm.gov
• Megan Arredondo, NM Department of Transportation (505) 660-2073 , megan.arredondo@state.nm.us

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