Show All Answers
The Job Access Transportation Program provides transportation to and from job sites for qualifying individuals. Eligibility includes financial need based upon federal guidelines for individuals with a residential address in Bernalillo county.
To apply for Job Access, you must fill out an application for services and provide all of the requested supporting documentation to accompany your completed applications. There are a couple of ways you can apply:
To qualify for Job Access:
Transportation services run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
An applicant may qualify for a bus pass only if they first qualify for taxi cab service. TANF and Workforce participants qualify for bus passes. Please contact your agency representative for more information.
Yes, if you qualify for Job Access services you may add a childcare drop off to your route.
Note: Only children five years or younger are eligible for childcare transportation.
Mail or Drop Off Your Application:
Rio Metro Regional Transit DistrictAttn: Job Access Transportation Program809 Copper Avenue NWAlbuquerque, NM 87102
Fax: 505-247-1753, Attn: Job Access Transportation Program
Email: JAccess@mrcog-nm.gov
By Appointment:
No, the Job Access program only provides transportation from home to a job site.
Riders pay $1 to $2 cash drop fare (based on a sliding scale) for each one-way ride with a meter reading of $20 or less. If the final meter reading is over $20, the customer pays the difference, in addition to the $1 to $2 cash drop fare.
Once you have been approved and added to the Job Access ridership, you are certified to use the services for six months. At the end of your six month service period, you may re-certify for services by filling out a recertification application.
Once the Job Access representative has received your completed application packet, the review process can take up to, but will never exceed, 30 calendar days. Approved riders may be subject to a waiting list due to funding availability.
You are responsible for collecting all proof documentation. Job Access is not responsible for collecting proof documentation for applicants. Job Access will not contact employers, human services representatives, or landlords for verification or to request proof documentation.
The client may begin scheduling rides only after a Job Access representative has confirmed program approval with the client, and the client has been added to Ridership. Approved riders may be subject to a waiting list due to funding availability.
Visit the NM Workforce Connection Website for help in finding a job.
The New Mexico Resources website provides comprehensive information on many government-funded programs, including cash assistance, childcare, energy, housing, and additional low-income transportation programs.
One-Way Trips, a Day Pass, and Monthly Passes
No
No. Tickets are non-refundable.
Yes
Yes. Seniors 60+ Ride Free on Wednesdays still occurs during the promotion period.
Group Travel fares do not apply to this promotion.
Monthly Passes only.
No.
Yes. Monthly Passes will be valid for 30 days from the date of purchase.
Yes.
Rio Metro ACCESS is part of Rio Metro’s Social Service Fare Program. Its purpose is providing free transportation options for New Mexico residents living in households with income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as established by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Rio Metro ACCESS can issue free train and bus passes to social services agencies so that they can distribute free passes to their clients thanks to a grant from New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Rio Metro ACCESS is committed to help improve transportation needs in Valencia, Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties by providing free and reliable transportation passes to Social Service Agencies.
These passes will be given to social service agencies that meet the criteria described in our Program Policy to then be distributed to low-income* clients receiving employment, housing or personal stability assistance, and other activities to improve their lives.
*Low income is defined as individuals living in households with incomes at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines as established by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Complete and submit the Application and Agreement located in the Rio Metro ACCESS Program and Application Information Packet (PDF).
Contact one of the participating agencies.
View the Participating Agencies page for a complete list.
Ride the New Mexico Rail Runner Express and all Rio Metro commuter, fixed route, and Dial-a-Ride buses for free with the Rio Metro ACCESS pass.
If you are riding the Rail Runner, you can connect to most ABQ RIDE, North Central Regional Transit District, and Santa Fe Trails buses for free.
Visit the Bus Connections page to learn about connecting to a bus from the train.
View the Rail and Bus Connections Guide (PDF) for a complete list of buses that connect to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Passengers need to contact a participating agency to request passes.
View the New Mexico Rail Runner Express schedule.
Visit the Rio Metro bus page for a complete list of Rio Metro’s bus schedules.
Anonymity offers employees the option of bringing up a concern without any fear of retaliation. We want to know your concerns, so that we can help to find solutions.
We will post the results on the Rio Metro Safety page on the Rio Metro website (under the drop-down menu from the About tab at the top of the page), indicating:
A, B, C, D, E, and sometimes F.
Yes. Specifically, these situations involve placing someone’s life or livelihood in danger, false accusations, etc.
Reporting a close call will let us know about trends that are affecting you and others, such as unsafe motorists at a specific location, etc.
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express operates seven days a week.
Note: The full train schedule cannot be viewed on the mobile app.
Tickets can be purchased:
Find more information and purchase tickets on the How to Buy page.
Note: The full train schedule cannot be viewed on the mobile app. View the schedule online.
Yes. You may purchase a ticket for another person from our online ticketing. You will need to email the ticket to the person you are buying it for; they can either print it out or show it to the ticket agent on their mobile device.
1. Reduced fares are available to:
2. Children 9 and under ride free
3. Seniors 60+ free on Wednesdays
4. Active Duty Military and Veterans that show one of the following IDs ride free:
The following ride free:
Free onsite parking is available at all of the Rail Runner stations with the exception of Downtown Albuquerque and the Santa Fe Depot. Parking at Downtown Albuquerque and the Santa Fe Depot is available for a fee at adjacent parking facilities.
Overnight parking is at your own risk.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
You can wait for the next regularly scheduled train or contact a local taxi or ride share company.
Rider Alerts are posted on the home page of the Rio Metro website. You can also sign up to receive text alerts for specific train routes and be notified of delays 20-25 minutes or longer. Follow us on Twitter @RioMetroAlerts to receive updates about train delays and other information.
If a New Mexico Rail Runner Express (NMRX) train arrives at a platform more than five minutes late, personnel at key bus connections will be notified so that shuttles and buses can wait for the train.
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express shares its track with Amtrak and BNSF. At times, the two trains may meet up, whereby one of the trains must come to a complete stop to allow the other to pass in a safe manner. Other reasons for a delayed trains are heavy travel times, as people take more time to board. Train cars may experience mechanical issues, or undergo inspection, which may also cause delays.
We apologize for any inconvenience these delays have caused and we continue to work toward a tradition of on-time performance. To ensure that you receive immediate notice of delayed trains, sign up for text alerts.
See the New Mexico Rail Runner Express holiday schedule for train service, or view the Rio Metro bus holiday schedule for Rio Metro bus service.
Yes. Your train ticket allows free bus connections on Rio Metro, ABQ RIDE, Santa Fe Trails, and most NCRTD buses on the same day of travel. Additional bus connections are available for a nominal fee.
View the transit connections page for additional information.
There are limited bus connections to and from the Albuquerque International Sunport.
Seats on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express are available on a first-come, first-served basis. On occasion, our seats do fill up to capacity. But you are welcome to stand in the aisle until a seat becomes available. Purchasing a ticket in advance does not guarantee a seat. We try to monitor passenger loads and add extra rail cars where they are needed.
There are several Santa Fe attractions within easy walking distance of the Santa Fe Depot Station such as:
There are also shuttles leaving from that station that will take you to area destinations. Those shuttles are free with a Rail Runner day, monthly or yearly pass. Read more about the Santa Fe Depot, connections and attractions.
Passengers are welcome to bring and consume food and beverages (excluding alcohol) on the train. Food and beverages are not available for purchase on the train.
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is following the federal mandate to wear face coverings at all times on board the train. Remove your face covering only while eating or drinking.
At least one restroom is available on every New Mexico Rail Runner Express train. Longer trains will have more than one restroom.
Electrical outlets are available for passenger use at each of the tables on the train. Tables are located on the mezzanine and upper levels only.
Bicycles, skis and other sporting equipment are welcome on the train at no extra charge. Each train car has designated space for up to 8 bicycles. During the winter months, the train also provides storage containers for ski equipment. Please store your equipment in the designated storage areas.
Children must be at least 10 years old to ride the train without a supervising adult.
Pets are not allowed on Rail Runner trains. Service animals are allowed. View information and details on riding with a service animal.
If you leave an item on the train, please contact Customer Service at 505-245-7245 or 866-795-7245. Lost items can be picked up Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at:
Herzog Transit Services100 Iron SEAlbuquerque, NM 87102
Non-essential items are held for 30 days. Essential items, such as keys, IDs, walets, phones, purses, etc. will be held for 90 days. If you find an item on the train, please turn it in to a ticket agent or conductor.
Rio Metro Customer Service office hours are:
Contact Customer Service at 866-795-RAIL (7245) or 505-245-7245.
Copyright 2023 Rio Metro RTD
Railroad Emergency: 1-866-874-6679 | Legal|Civil Rights|Site Map