Safety Takes Front Seat at ABQ RIDE

ALBUQUERQUE – To reinforce its commitment to public safety, ABQ RIDE is launching an internal campaign, Drive Safe, Ride Safe, to ensure the transit system’s culture of safety starts with its staff. The campaign launches on April 1 and will run for 12 months.

“Improved public safety for our transit system depends on strong leadership,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “By starting with safety inside our organization, that culture will spread to every bus route and van ride in town.”

The campaign includes a commitment from all managers to encourage safe practices among staff, a department-wide survey to gauge safety perceptions, assembling a new safety committee, monthly safety audits, safety talks and modernized trainings, and tangible safety solutions based on survey feedback. 

“Our team is building a culture that’s fanatical about safety. That means considering it in every meeting, every time we step onto a bus, and every time we drive out of the yard at night,” said Transit Director Leslie Keener. “By going back to the basics like slip, trip, and fall prevention, we’re fostering a department where safety is always the priority.”

According to the Victoria Transit Policy Institute, driving a car is far more dangerous than taking transit in terms of crash risk and crime. ABQ RIDE is focused on remedying preventable safety issues, especially falls, which account for approximately 34% of department accidents and 125 in 2025. There was a total of 264 accidents in 2025, 44% preventable, and this campaign hopes to cut that number by 15%.

Safety Tips for Riders:

• Maintain three points of contact when on buses and always hold on. 
• Take care when boarding and exiting by looking before you step.  
• Be prepared for sudden stops and wait for a complete stop before disembarking.
• Keep aisles clear by securing your belongings.
• Use marked crosswalks near bus stops and HAWK signals at ART stations.
• Read signage carefully and listen to safety announcements.
• Be alert to potential safety hazards. If you see something, say something by submitting a report on safety or cleanliness issues on See Say (app, web form, call / text 505-391-2600).