The New Mexico Rail Runner Express connects Belen, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. This page combines current rider information with preserved planning, investment, safety, and system-development records that are otherwise scattered across Rio Metro, MRCOG, and NMDOT.

Current Rider Information#

• Rail Runner Schedules

  Rio Metro is the authoritative source for current schedules and service information. Use it for travel planning rather than a static timetable.

• Rail Runner Stations and Connections

  Provides current station pages, parking and access information, connecting transit services, and links to rider resources throughout the corridor.

• Rail Runner Rail and Bus Connections Guide (2025–2026)

  Maps Rail Runner stations and connecting transit services, including ABQ RIDE, Rio Metro, Santa Fe Trails, North Central Regional Transit District, NMDOT Park and Ride, airport access, and station-specific transfer information. Check the official stations and connections page for updates.

• Rail Runner System Map (2023)

  Shows the full Belen-to-Santa Fe corridor, all stations, major roads, pueblos, station parking, airport connections, and the portions of the route owned by NMDOT and BNSF. Check the official system-map page for updates.

Current Planning and Investment#

• Rio Metro Budget and Capital Plan, FY2027–FY2031

  Details current Rail Runner operating budgets, five-year maintenance and capital priorities, transit vehicle needs, funding sources, unfunded projects, and FY2027 goals, led by construction of the Albuquerque operations and maintenance facility. Official Rio Metro publications

• Rail Runner Operations and Maintenance Facility Fact Sheet (2026)

  Summarizes the planned Downtown Albuquerque facility replacing Rail Runner’s aging outdoor maintenance site, with an indoor repair shop, inspection and storage tracks, offices, environmental controls, improved working conditions, and capacity for more reliable service. Official project page

• Rail Runner Operations and Maintenance Facility Conceptual Design Report (2022)

  Develops the phased design for a modern Downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner maintenance campus, documenting existing deficiencies, operational needs, fleet projections, space requirements, site alternatives, repair and inspection functions, offices, storage, and conceptual drawings. Official project page

• Rail Runner Operations and Maintenance Facility Assessment (2016)

  Documents the original Downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner yard’s undersized outdoor maintenance canopy, aging leased warehouse and offices, servicing inefficiencies, safety constraints, fleet needs, and recommendations that established the case for a modern operations facility. Official project page

• Rio Metro Double Track Study (2022)

  Identifies passing sidings, double-track segments, station platforms, phasing, and coordination needed to support more frequent and reliable all-day Rail Runner service, including regular schedules and greater resilience when trains are delayed. Official Rio Metro publications

• New Mexico State Rail Plan (2026)

  Provides the current statewide passenger and freight rail inventory, including Rail Runner service, stations, connections, ownership, safety, funding, trends, needs, goals, and the prioritized Rail Service and Investment Program. Official NMDOT Rail Bureau

Historical Planning and Development#

• New Mexico Rail Runner Express Project Development History (2009)

  Documents how the Belen-to-Santa Fe commuter rail system was planned and delivered, including route selection, station development, rolling-stock acquisition, BNSF negotiations, service design, environmental review, public involvement, construction, and capital and operating costs. Official Rio Metro publications

• Belen Station Area Planning Study (2009 Archived PDF)

  Establishes a transit-oriented development framework around Belen’s Rail Runner station, evaluating land use, circulation, market conditions, infrastructure, urban design, public space, redevelopment opportunities, and an illustrative plan for connecting the station with downtown.

  Official MRCOG PDF · Official MRCOG Project Page

• Belen Rail Runner Station Infrastructure and Development Workshop (2009 Archived PDF)

  Records the 2009 public workshop that translated the Belen Station Area Planning Study into six priority projects, including Becker Avenue, pedestrian connections, wayfinding, Harvey House access, public spaces, and redevelopment east of the station.

  Official MRCOG PDF · Official MRCOG Project Page

• Rio Metro Regional Transit District Short Range Plan, FY2012–FY2017

  Preserves an early systemwide plan covering Rio Metro’s institutional history, Rail Runner and bus operations, ridership and service performance, stations and capital assets, financial projections, expansion priorities, and relationships to regional transportation plans. Official Rio Metro publications

• Bernalillo County / International Sunport Station Area Sector Development Plan (2009)

  Establishes a transit-oriented development framework around the Rail Runner station near the Sunport, covering land use, street connections, walking and bicycling, public spaces, development standards, implementation, and coordination with surrounding Albuquerque destinations. Official MRCOG plan page

Safety and Access#

• NMRX Grade Crossing Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Study (2016)

  Provides a systemwide toolbox for safer walking and bicycling at Rail Runner crossings, including passive and active devices, barrier and signal treatments, an evaluation form, minimum requirements, and standard applications for common crossing configurations. Official Rio Metro publications