The Future of Paratransit Is Here! Sun Van Goes Digital

ALBUQUERQUE – Sun Van riders can soon track their vans and book paratransit trips digitally with the new ABQ RIDE GO! app. ABQ RIDE’s transition to the new software is happening in two phases: ABQ RIDE GO! launched for ABQ RIDE Connect on Monday, October 20, and will launch for Sun Van on Saturday, November 15.

Currently Sun Van riders’ only option to book trips is by calling ABQ RIDE’s customer service team at 243-RIDE with no driver tracking aside from calling for updates. Soon users will be able to book or reschedule rides, track vans, view ride history, and more via the ABQ RIDE GO! app and website.

“The launch of the ABQ RIDE GO! app really enhances mobility in our city,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Empowering Sun Van riders to schedule and track trips themselves is an important boost in independence and flexibility for our paratransit and microtransit services, which many rely on.”

This new software also increases efficiency by reducing operational costs and call volume, and maximizing vehicle and staffing resources. Routes are optimized every 20 seconds based on real-time traffic patterns, driver availability, ride cancellations, and rideshare schedules, resulting in faster and more reliable service. The new software will cost $205,000 annually, a $150,000 savings over the prior microtransit and paratransit system.

“With dynamic routing, smarter driver scheduling, and a seamless interface that combines microtransit and paratransit, this technology is helping us deliver more reliable service,” said ABQ RIDE Director Leslie Keener. “It’s another way we’re keeping our public transit innovative.”

App features:

• Reduced travel and wait times.
• Increased trip visibility.
• Enhanced rider communication.
• Dynamic routing.
• Automated scheduling.
• Option to schedule rides either on ABQ RIDE GO! or by calling 243-RIDE.

“The launch of GO!’s first phase marked a key milestone in RideCo and ABQ RIDE’s partnership towards realizing the agency’s vision of delivering an integrated, multi-modal regional transportation system,” said Prem Gururajan, Co-Founder and CEO of RideCo. “The modernization of demand-response paratransit service for ABQ RIDE will increase service reliability and operational efficiency, while providing riders with increased independence, flexibility, and freedom in their mobility."

“Transportation is the center of our world,” said Sun Van rider Ernie Esquibel. “RideCo software will be the glue of our daily lives, giving Sun Van riders more independence and making it easier to get where we need to go.”

“With fewer bus lines in District 3, ABQ RIDE Connect is a fantastic public transit solution to bring door-to-door rides to the community in a way that operates similarly to Uber or Lyft,” said District 3 City Councilor Klarissa Peña. “I look forward to seeing ABQ RIDE’s microtransit service grow to ensure our community has transit options to get to the grocery store, medical appointments, the movie theater, or anything in between!”

“We can all relate to what it’s like waiting for a ride that you’re not confident is going to arrive. ABQ RIDE GO! empowers riders to know exactly where their Sun Van is and when it’s arriving,” said District 2 City Councilor Joaquín Baca. “This is empowering for riders no matter where across the City they are traveling by allowing them scheduling flexibility and improved access through technology right in the palm of their hand.” 

Please visit ABQ RIDE.com for more information on ABQ RIDE GO!, Sun Van, and apps used for public transit services. Or call 243-RIDE with questions or to request a tutorial on using or downloading the new app, available on the Mac App Store and Google Play. Sun Van riders can now download the app. Booking Sun Van rides on the new app begins November 10 and service on the new app begins November 15.  

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ABQ RIDE’s mission is to provide the community with clean, safe, and reliable transportation. Sun Van is a share-a-ride, curb-to-curb paratransit service operated by ABQ RIDE and conducted in ADA accessible vans that provides rides to community members whose disability prevents them from riding City buses. This service provides life-changing mobility for many community members and in many cases is their only way to get around Albuquerque. ABQ RIDE’s Sun Van service provides an average of 17,000 rides per month and more than 200,000 total rides in 2025.