ABQ RIDE Forward: Implementation
Changes around the corner for your bus routes!
Discover the Future of ABQ RIDE
What's next for ABQ RIDE? Learn about the big picture vision of ABQ's public transit.
The ABQ RIDE Forward Plan will transform Albuquerque’s public transit system into a world-class system in a once-in-a-generation plan to improve transit and meet the demand for bus service in a way that makes sense for the rider demands, City growth, and transit patterns of today.
The 16-phase plan, fueled by community feedback and award-winning consultants, will take place over the next several years to bring the City of Albuquerque’s bus routes back to pre-2019 service levels, while also modernizing bus routes. The ABQ RIDE Forward Network Plan will increase frequency and weekend service, reduce overlap for wider coverage, and improve equity.
Better bus service is on its way to Albuquerque. The new bus network is paired with many new system-wide improvements including increased safety, helpful apps to navigate the system, and volunteers who clean bus stops and ride buses to educate riders on City resources. Come take a ride on us to experience a new era of ABQ RIDE with cleaner, safer, and more reliable transit service.
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What You Need to Know
- Your bus route might change! This web page outlines all the changes that will be made in this implementation so that you can plan your route and ask questions.
- We are working to make Albuquerque’s bus system better! Please be patient with our team as we roll out these changes.
- This plan will be rolled out in phases over the next several years depending on staffing and vehicle availability.
- In some places, Microtransit will help supplement areas that will have fewer bus routes in the new network.
- All changes will be reflected in the Transit app and you can also find updated route information on the Routes & Schedules web page.
Phased Implementation Plan
Effective December 13, 2025, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 5
- Frequency Increase: your bus will now arrive every 30 minutes instead of every 40 minutes on weekdays only. On weekends, service will continue to be every 40 minutes.
- Route 8
- Frequency Increase: your bus will now arrive every 30 minutes instead of every 40 minutes.
- Route Change:
- Eastbound: The bus will go from the Alvarado Transportation Center north on 2nd St., west on Lomas, north on Rio Grande, east on Indian School, north on 12th, and back to the regular route.
- Westbound: The bus will go west on Menaul, south on 12th, west on Indian School, south on Rio Grande, east on Lomas, and south on 2nd St. back into the Alvarado Transportation Center.
- The route will no longer go north on 5th St. and south on 6th St.
- Route 10
- Route Change:
- The long route runs every 60 minutes and goes all the way to Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center (north of Alameda).
- The short route runs every 30 minutes and ends at the Montano Transit Center.
- Both versions travel through downtown on Silver and 5th/6th Streets and go to the Montano Transit Center, but only the long route continues farther north.
- Route Change:
- Route 11
- Frequency Increase: your bus will now arrive every 30 minutes instead of every 40 minutes on weekdays only. On weekends, service will be every 40 minutes.
- Route 36
- Route Discontinuation:
- This route will be replaced with ABQ RIDE Connect’s Rio Grande Service Zone which operates from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. This microtransit service provides door-to-door rides for free and can connect you with the wider bus route network.
- Route 8 will provide service on Indian School west of 12th St. (near the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center) and Rio Grande south of Indian School (Old Town area and Sawmill Market).
- Route Discontinuation:
- Route 53
- New Service on Sunday: this route will run every day, including Sundays, every 60 minutes. On weekdays, Route 53 will run from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and on weekends, this route will run from 7:45 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Saturday) or 6:00 p.m. (Sunday).
- Frequency Decrease: your bus will now arrive every 60 minutes instead of every 45 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays.
- Route Change:
- Southbound: From downtown, the bus will go further west on Bridge, south on Goff, continue south onto Isleta, and back to the regular route.
- Northbound: From Isleta at Arenal the bus will go north on Goff, east on Bridge, and back to the regular route.
- Route 54
- New Service on Sunday: this route will run every day, including Sundays, every 60 minutes. On weekdays, Route 54 will run from 6:15 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on weekends, this route will run from 7:15 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. (Saturday) or 5:30 p.m. (Sunday).
- Frequency Decrease: your bus will now arrive every 60 minutes instead of every 50 minutes on weekdays.
- Route Change:
- Westbound: From Benavides and 98th St., the bus will go west on Benavides, southeast on Del Rey, south on De Anza, west on Gibson, south on Messina, west on Amole Mesa, south on 118th St., and will end on Dennis Chavez by the Atrisco Heritage Academy High School.
- Eastbound: From Atrisco Heritage Academy High School, the bus will go east on Dennis Chavez, north on 98th St., west on Amole Mesa, north on Messina, east on Gibson, north on De Anza, northwest on Del Rey, east on Benavides, and back to regular route.
- Related Changes:
- This route will no longer stop at the Central and Unser Transit Center. You can instead take Route 198 which will run every 30 minutes on 98th St. and Central to the Central and Unser Transit Center.
- To get around this area, you can also try ABQ RIDE Connect’s Southwest Mesa Service Zone which operates from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. This microtransit service provides door-to-door rides for free and can connect you with the wider bus route network.
- Route 66
- Frequency Decrease: your bus will now arrive every 30 minutes every day instead of every 25 minutes.
- Riders traveling from downtown who need to continue past the Central and Unser Transit Center can remain on the bus to 98th St. for continued service via Route 198.
- Route 198
- Frequency Increase: your bus will now arrive every 30 minutes every day instead of every 50 minutes.
- Riders traveling eastbound from 98th St. can remain on the bus at the Central and Unser Transit center for continued service via Route 66.
Effective in mid-2026, the following bus routes will change:
- New ABQ RIDE Connect Zone
- There will now be service provided by ABQ RIDE Connect in the area that was formerly served by the Route 51 bus in the South Valley area. This microtransit service provides door-to-door rides for free and can connect you with the wider ABQ RIDE bus route network.
- ABQ RIDE Connect operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Learn more about ABQ Ride Connect.
- Route 51
- Route Discontinuation:
- This route will be replaced with ABQ RIDE Connect’s South Valley Service Zone which operates which operates from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. This microtransit service provides door-to-door rides for free and can connect you with the wider bus route network.
- As an alternative in the southern part of the former Route 51, riders can now take Route 52 (see information below) that will serve some areas along Rio Bravo.
- Route Discontinuation:
- Route 52
- New Route:
- This new route will provide service to the following destinations around Albuquerque:
- Downtown
- Barelas neighborhood
- Zoo
- National Hispanic Cultural Center
- San Jose neighborhood
- Mountain View neighborhood & Joy Junction
- Valle del Sol Shopping Center
- Valley Gardens neighborhood
- Las Estancias Shopping Center & Walmart
- This new route will provide service to the following destinations around Albuquerque:
- This route operates daily with buses coming every 60 minutes. This route will operate Monday through Friday from 6:15 a.m. until 7:15 p.m., Saturdays from 7:15 a.m. until 7:15 p.m., and Sundays from 7:15 a.m. until 5:15 p.m..
- Inbound: From the Las Estancias Shopping Center & Walmart, the bus will go west on Lamonica, south on Coors, east on Gun Club, north on Isleta, east on Rio Bravo, south on 2nd St., east on Prosperity, north on Prince, east on Rio Bravo, north on Broadway, west on San Jose, north on William, east on Lewis Ave., south on Broadway, west on Avenida Cesar Chavez, north on 8th St., east on Coal, north on 6th St., east on Gold, and into the Alvarado Transportation Center.
- Outbound: From the Alvarado Transportation Center, the bus will go west on Gold, south on 2nd St., west on Lead, south on 8th St., east on Avenida Dolores Huerta, south on Broadway, west on Trumbull, south on William, east on San Jose, south on Broadway, west on Rio Bravo, south on Prince, west on Prosperity, north on 2nd St., west on Rio Bravo, south on Isleta, west on Gun Club, north on Coors, east on Rio Bravo, south on Loris, west on Lamonica, and will end at the Las Estancias Shopping Center & Walmart
- New Route:
- Route 53
- Route Change:
- Southbound: From the Alvarado Transportation Center, the bus will go west on Gold, south on 2nd St., west on Lead, south on 4th St., west on Avenida Dolores Huerta (Bridge), and back to the regular route.
- Northbound: From Avenida Dolores Huerta (Bridge) and Isleta, the bus will go east on Avenida Dolores Huerta (Bridge), north on 4th St., west on Lead, north on 6th St., east on Gold, and into the Alvarado Transportation Center.
- Related Changes:
- This route will no longer stop at the Zoo. You can instead take the new Route 52 (see route information above).
- Route Change:
- Route 155
- Route Change:
- Southbound: From Coors and Rio Bravo, the bus will go east on Rio Bravo, south on Loris, west on Lamonica, and will end at the Las Estancias Shopping Center and Walmart.
- Northbound: From the Las Estancias Shopping Center and Walmart, the bus will go west on Lamonica, north on Coors, and back to regular route.
- Related Changes:
- This route will no longer go to the Valley Gardens neighborhood. You can instead take the new route 52 (see route information above).
- Route Change:
Effective in mid 2026, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 140
- New All-day Service on Weekdays: this route will run every 40 minutes on weekdays all day from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m..
- Route 141
- Frequency Increase: your bus will now arrive every 20 minutes on weekends instead of every 30 minutes.
Effective in late 2026, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 157
- Name Change
- This route will now be called Route 15 instead of Route 157.
- Route Change & Frequency Increase:
- The long route runs every 40 minutes and goes all the way to the Northwest Transit Center.
- The short route runs every 20 minutes and ends at Montgomery and San Mateo (near Lovelace Women’s Hospital).
- Northbound / Westbound: From Montaño and I-25, the bus will go west on Montaño, north on Culture, west and south on Renaissance, west on Montaño, and back to the regular route.
- Southbound / Eastbound: From Montaño and Edith, the bus will go east on Montaño, north and east on Renaissance, south on Culture, east on Montaño, and back to the regular route.
- Route 157 will no longer go onto Kirtland Airforce Base and will no longer stop inside the Coronado Center parking lot, but rather will stop on Americas Parkway.
Effective in early 2027, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 5
- Route 8
- Route 11
Effective in early 2027, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 766
- Route 777
Effective in mid-2027, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 8
Effective in late 2027, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 5
- Route 11
- Route 16
Effective in early 2028, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 66
- Route 97
- Route 766
- Route 777
Effective mid-2028, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 1
- Route 2
- Route 31
Effective mid-2028, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 140
Effective late 2028, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 66
- Route 155
- Route 198
- Route 766
- Route 777
- Route 790
Effective early 2029, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 140
- Route 141
Effective mid-2029, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 140
- Route 141
Effective late 2029, the following bus routes will change:
- Route 11
Effective late 2029, the following bus routes will change:
- All routes
More INFORMATION ON ABQ RIDE FORWARD
Reports
- Final ABQ RIDE Forward Recovery Network Plan
- Phase III: Proposed Recovery Network
- Phase II: Concepts
- Phase I: Existing Conditions
Thank you to our consultants, Jarrett Walker + Associates and Toole Design for their contribution to this project.
Contact Us
Information on how
Customer Service
505-243-RIDE (7433)
