Myth busting the NM Rail Runner Express

Services that impact the lives of many are often the subject of public scrutiny, as they well should be, the Mid-Region Council of Governments said in a press release. However, it's also important to separate fact from fiction. And, since you, the taxpayer are helping fund this service, we think it's your right to know the truth.

Since its implementation in
July 2006, the Rail Runner has carried 3.1 million riders over 107.2 million
passenger miles, and is creating economic opportunities in the region. In
addition to development around Rail Runner stations, the train gives citizens
the freedom to live where they choose in the region, enabling access to green,
safe, and affordable transportation. As a result, new and expanding businesses
know they have access to a workforce that has reliable public transportation.

Here are some facts you
should know:

FACT: Implementation Costs
were Consistent with Early Estimates. The Mid-Region Council of Governments and
the New Mexico Department of Transportation issued a report to the Legislative
Finance Committee in September of 2004. This was the first report that included
cost estimates for the project. The report indicated that the initial phase of
the Rail Runner between Belen and Bernalillo would likely cost $75 million, and
the extension to Santa Fe would cost about $250 million, for a total of $325
million. The report noted that these estimates did not include the cost to own
or lease the track from BNSF, which were unknown at the time.

The $325 million in capital
costs held true, despite very dramatic increases in fuel, concrete, steel and
other material costs over the four-year life of the construction project.
Additionally, the State of New Mexico ended up paying $75 million to purchase
the tracks from Belen to the Colorado state line.  Therefore, the total
project came to approximately $400 million.

FACT: The Rail Runner
Offers Affordable Fares & Enjoys Broad Public Support. We work hard to keep
fares affordable, as residents in the four-county Rail Runner service area are
already contributing. For fiscal year 2009, fares cover about 14 percent of the
operating costs. Fees paid by BNSF and Amtrak cover another seven percent. The
voter-approved tax for Rail Runner operations contributes another 54 percent
and Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds from the New Mexico
Department of Transportation cover the majority of the balance.

Public transportation is
sometimes criticized for receiving a "subsidy." But consider this: How many
other government programs can claim that the vast majority of the revenues
required to cover operating costs come from a direct voter-approved tax and
user fees? In addition, a 2006 Albuquerque Journal voter poll noted a project
cost of at least $393 million and 59 percent of the respondents statewide
indicated they thought the project was a good idea. How many other public
projects could garner this much support on a statewide level? Also, in the four
counties in which the Rail Runner provides service, 70 percent of the
respondents supported the project.

FACT: New Mexico
Demonstrated Foresight in Implementing Rail NOW. Voters in Denver, Phoenix and
Salt Lake City also supported tax initiatives for rail. However, because these
cities waited too long, their price tags are much higher. Nevertheless, these
citizens still thought it important to support rail transportation.

Salt Lake City is halfway
done with a 100-mile commuter rail system, which is very similar to the Rail
Runner. The Salt Lake City project cost is $1.6 billion. In 2004, the citizens
of the greater Denver area voted to increase their sales tax by one-half
percent to build 120 miles of rail. Denver project cost is $4.3 billion. And
Phoenix just opened a 19-mile long light rail system which was also funded via
a voter approved one-half percent sales tax in 2004. Phoenix project cost is
$1.6 billion.

The voters in New Mexico’s
central four-county region passed a one-eighth percent gross receipts tax to
fund Rail Runner operations and expanded bus services. That’s 12 cents on a
$100.00 purchase. Thanks to the voters, New Mexico is not waiting around until
roadway congestion is unbearable and quality of life degraded. Instead, voters
had the foresight to plan early and accordingly for future anticipated roadway
congestion, by supporting the train NOW.

FACT: The Rail Runner is an
Alternative to Future Anticipated Congestion.

The 2005 Alternatives
Analysis report analyzed the cost of adding a new lane on Interstate-25 between
Tramway Blvd. in Albuquerque and St. Francis Drive in Santa Fe. The cost was
estimated at $320 million at this time. (Note that the Rail Runner actually
runs between Belen and Santa Fe, over twice this distance.)The Alternatives
Analysis and other subsequent studies pointed out that the drive between
Albuquerque and Santa Fe is projected to take over two hours in the year
2025…but I-25 is isn’t the only problem.

The more severe congestion
problems are associated with the roadway systems in the central areas of Santa
Fe and Albuquerque. Building new multilane facilities into these areas (if even
feasible) would cost hundreds of millions of additional dollars. In addition,
pushing more traffic into the core areas would exacerbate an already serious
problem with parking. The future demand for travel into the core area of Santa
Fe, if accommodated all in automobiles, would require an additional 67 acres of
parking. Anyone care to build a 67-story parking garage in Downtown Santa Fe?
Meanwhile, riders on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express arrive to cities like
Santa Fe without the need for parking and can walk, ride a bike or take a bus
to their final destination.

Additionally, the Rail
Runner already has: Reduced our carbon footprint by 92 million pounds of carbon
dioxide In 2009 reduced energy consumption by more than 2.26 million gallons of
gasoline; transported 3.1 million passengers; taken 100 million vehicle miles
off our roadways; carried over 65,000 cyclists with their bicycles; and is
using solar power at stations.

FACT: Working Families Need
Affordable Solutions for Transportation. When gas prices hit almost $4.00 a
gallon, it was a wake-up call for New Mexicans. Many working families saw
transportation costs skyrocket as a percentage of their household income. While
public transportation services experienced dramatic increases in ridership, it
also exposed the weakness in our public transportation system, namely, the
scarcity of services and importance of increasing reach and accessibility
through the Central NM corridor. The Rail Runner is an important part of this
system as are the increasing number of bus connections.

Another consideration: New
Mexico’s population is rapidly aging. While many of us may marvel at the people
who still drive around despite their age, there are many seniors who cannot or
will not drive beyond a certain point in their lives, and their numbers are
increasing.

Additionally, finding
affordable housing in the central area of Albuquerque and almost anywhere in
Santa Fe is challenging (if not impossible) for many of the people who work in
these communities. Even in these hard economic times there are ambitious plans
and ongoing activities associated with new development around Rail Runner
stations. In addition to the Rail Runner, expanded bus service and the
associated economic and land development opportunities provide a solid
framework for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

FACT: Most of the Roadways
in New Mexico are Subsidized. Critics of the Rail Runner often point to the
"subsidy" and the 4,500 passengers the Rail Runner carries every day as primary
reasons why the system is a waste of taxpayer funds. What most people do not
realize is State and Local governments spend hundreds of millions of dollars
every year to maintain and re-construct low-volume highways. Most of these
highways carry between 1,000 and 2,000 cars a day and only generate 15-25
percent of the gas tax revenues required to keep these roads in a good state of
repair. In fact, most of the construction projects funded in the State
$1.6-billion GRIP program and $1.2-billion CHAT program were spent on roadways.
This is not to say that these roadways are not important. They provide a way
for people to access services and good, jobs, health care and education.
However, it’s important to see the larger picture of how transportation dollars
are spent.

FACT: The Rail Runner is
Part of Improving Public Transportation in Central New Mexico. Public
transportation isn’t for everyone, and is not the most feasible solution for
many parts of the State. For the Albuquerque and Santa Fe Metropolitan areas it
is an important part of the transportation system today, and will become
increasingly important in the future as this part of the state continues to
grow. Together, the two metro areas are expected to contain 1.2 million people
by 2025. 60 percent of the jobs in New Mexico are also located in this region.
Growth is expected to severely diminish residents’ ability to move around by
auto due to congestion on the roadway system despite the investment of billions
of dollars to add lanes to the roadway system and build new roadway facilities.
Investments in Rail and Bus Rapid Transit (buses that use exclusive lanes to
by-pass congestion) will be necessary to maintain some semblance of mobility in
these two metro areas. The Rail Runner is the spine of this system and provides
a framework for future connections.