ABQ RIDE Bus Fleet 100% ADA Compliant

Mayor Martin Chavez and ABQ RIDE Director Greg Payne are proud to announce the ABQ RIDE bus fleet will be 100% compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The addition of 58 new diesel-electric hybrid buses, the last of which will be on the road by March 15, make the fleet accessible to all citizens.

“We are excited to be able to provide buses that meet all ADA requirements,” said Mayor Chavez.  “This means the buses are low-floor with ramps and lifts for wheelchairs.  In addition, the buses are more fuel efficient and better for the environment since they are hybrid diesel electric.”

At a press conference announcing the event, Viola Hix, Chairman of the Paratransit Advisory Board called the achievement “a great victory for everyone in Albuquerque.” 

Art Schreiber, Chairman of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind, congratulated Mayor Chavez, Director Payne and the staff of ABQ RIDE on the milestone for the disability community. “I urge all members of the blind community in Albuquerque to use the fixed route system,” said Schreiber.

Greg Trapp, Executive Director for the New Mexico Commission, stated “This is a first for Albuquerque and it benefits not just the disabled, but visitors and the entire community.”

The new 40-foot buses will each have room for 4 wheelchairs.  “The new buses also have many technological advances that help make ABQ RIDE a 21st century transit department for a 21st century city,” said Director Payne.

The buses have a global positioning system to announce intersections or bus stop locations, are equipped with security cameras for both the interior and exterior of the bus, and have special window shields and seat upholstery to make it easier to remove graffiti.

The new buses, each of which cost approximately $560,000 each, were the largest bus purchase in the City of Albuquerque’s history. 80% was funded by federal funds and 20% by a local match.