Vayamos a Santa Fe

Rail Runner Express kicks off its public schedule today

By Trip Jennings 12/17/08 9:06 AM
The New Mexico Rail Runner commuter train officially begins running to Santa Fe today, and, in fact, already has made its first journey to the City Different. The first train left Los Lunas a little before 5 a.m.
Gov. Bill Richardson made the Rail Runner a major priority and took his own ride on the train Monday, where he waxed poetically — and sometimes hyperbolically — about what the train would do for New Mexico and the world at large.
As someone who loves trains and rode up with the guv on Monday, I thought the train was a nice ride, especially for those of us who travel to Santa Fe more than once a week. The only gripe I have is that the wireless Internet that state officials promised business commuters is not up and running yet. But state transportation officials told me Monday it will be available in about a month.
I did a lot of reporting when I was with the Albuquerque Journal on the Rail Runner project and on some legislators’ concerns about the cost of the project ($400 million). There seemed to be some very legitimate questions. But it will be years before we know what kind of legacy Richardson’s Rail Runner is for the state of New Mexico. Until then, I’d encourage people who are interested in the train to try it out.
Here’s a Web page with the Rail Runner’s schedule.