Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART), the city’s bus rapid transit system, announced Tuesday it has reached a significant milestone: 10 million rides.
The system, which operates primarily along Central Avenue, provides over 2 million rides annually, accounting for approximately 30% of ABQ RIDE’s total ridership according to the City of Albuquerque.
ART distinguishes itself with high-capacity, articulated buses, dedicated lanes for faster service, signal priority, and distinctive stations. While its main infrastructure runs along Central, ART buses extend service to the eastern end of Central (Green Line route 777) and to Uptown on Louisiana (Red Line route 766). Future plans include extensions to the Cottonwood Mall area and along 98th Street, looping back to the shopping center at Coors and Rio Bravo, without new construction.
After initial controversy and disruption during its construction, ART has been recognized by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy as a Gold Standard BRT system, the highest international ranking. Even with service reductions due to staffing shortages across ABQ RIDE, ART remains the most productive service, with nearly twice as many riders per hour of operation compared to the rest of the system.
“ART has become a permanent part of Central, moving millions of people across our city,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We’ve worked hard to make it a productive system, even after early challenges that began before I took office. Today, it connects neighborhoods, supports businesses and jobs, and has some of the strongest ridership in the country.”
ART’s benefits extend beyond transportation, connecting the city, facilitating access to popular locations for students and residents, and attracting significant development. Over $800 million in building permits for renovations and new construction have been issued within a half-mile of the ART corridor through fall 2023, nearly triple the value of construction per square mile compared to other areas of the city. Additional improvements have included easy-to-clean epoxy flooring in stations, red-painted ART lanes for caution, and enhanced safety with pinned curbs.
“As a longtime ART champion and rider, I’ve seen firsthand the positive effect of this investment. Year after year, ridership has increased, and it is the gold standard for rapid transit in the United States. In my district, which lies in the heart of the ART corridor, we have experienced the beneficial ripple effects throughout the community,” said City Councilor Joaquin Baca. “With over $800 million in new construction and renovations along the route, ART is more than just a bus service; it’s a powerful engine for economic growth and revitalization. It’s connecting our community, providing reliable transportation for over 2 million riders annually, and building a more vibrant and accessible city for everyone. This is a significant step forward, but it should not be the last. Our commitment to better serving the people of Albuquerque should include continued expansion of our transit.”
Since its launch in November 2019, ART has consistently delivered nearly 200,000 rides monthly, totaling over 2 million annually. In 2024 alone, it transported 2,291,358 people. The system operates with a fleet of 60-foot articulated buses.
The celebration also honored ART’s 10 millionth rider, Rhett Sanders-Spencer, a local student and resource conservation professional.
“I’ve come to rely on ART to facilitate the daily logistics of getting around after losing my car in an accident last year. I’ve grown to appreciate public transit because it’s deepened my sense of connection to the city and with community along my commute,” Sanders-Spencer said. “I’m grateful for the accessibility and affordability of public transit in Albuquerque, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it continues to improve!”
Sanders-Spencer received an ABQ RIDE-branded gift bag, including passes to ABQ BioPark Zoo and Aquarium/Botanic Garden, Albuquerque Museum, and Balloon Museum, coffee from Little Bear Coffee, tickets to New Mexico United and Albuquerque Isotopes games, and ABQ RIDE merchandise.
For questions or concerns about ART, contact Customer Service at 243-RIDE. Safety issues can be reported via the See Say app, and individuals can volunteer to help clean bus stops through the Adopt-A-Stop program. More information is available at ABQRIDE.com.