by Anne Marie Whitmore

Created on: March 17, 2009

GETTING AROUND ALBUQUERQUE

The best things about Albuquerque public transit are the bicycle racks on the front of the buses, and the new Rail Runner high speed train.

That having been said, the city mass transit system is clumsy, confusing, and pricey.

You can use your bike for exercise, or to get to remoter places not served by the bus system. Buses only have space for two or three bikes, depending on the model of vehicle.

THE ABQ Ride

The ABQ Ride, www.cabq.gov, the monopoly transit system, is owned by the city. On February 1, 2009, a radically different fare structure went into effect. Free transfers between routes were abolished. Instead the regular $1.00 adult one-way fare morphed (if you need to use another route) into the $2 all-day pass, thankfully, sold by the driver. But the drivers still carry no change. Adult and student tokens will no longer be sold, but can be used until further notice.

Exceptions to the basic fare are many and varied. You can purchase passes good for unlimited rides for: *one day, two days, or three days

*one, three, six, or twelve months

Three day passes cost $6, college or vocational students (with a current class schedule) can purchase a yearly pass for $90. Students age 10 and up, the mobility impaired and "Honored Citizens" (age 62 and up) can ride for six months with a Silver pass for $50. A Gold Pass, for anyone, with unlimited rides, costs $225. There is usually a special promotion rate for kids during the summer months.

Passes are non-refundable.

Students age 10 through high school, the wheel-chair bound, those on Medicare, and "Honored Citizens" can ride one time for only 35 cents with proper identification. Children 10 and under ride free with a paying adult.

The system offers special Park and Ride service to and from major events such as the Balloon Fiesta. And there is a special more individualized Sun Van department dealing with services to the disabled, with certain criteria. An independent company last year gave ABQ Ride high praise for accessibility and navigability for disabled citizens. For its efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it ranked "on a par with the best in the country."

Downtown in the central city, the buses tend to be ugly, with tacky large-sale advertising, or clumsy, garish so-called art. Going further out, not all stops are sheltered from the weather, or even have benches. At some stops, the only clue is a dark-yellow painted curb, which can easily be covered by snow. Some

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