The Santa Fe and Albuquerque city pair and its state population of 2 million, mirrors the Lincoln and Omaha city pair in Nebraska a state with 2 million as well, with similar agricultural backgrounds; so if a commuter rail project is to be considered, NM is the state that we are probably looking more into, in how their commuter rail line project is doing; so that we can avert any potential problems.
As much as I like the idea of commuter rail between Lincoln and Omaha. There are many inherent challenges to overcome in order to make such a venture viable.
It appears that our opposite twin pair Santa Fe and Albuquerque has had mixed success with their rail line.
It appears that people in those cities are opting to drive, instead of using the commuter rail. Since they prefer the 1 hour drive vs the 1 hour and 45 minutes on rail. The initial excitement people had, has waned and their i25 congestion doesn't appear to be alleviated.
The commuter line costed around
$400 million, and it runs a deficit covered by state subsidies (about
$20-30 million annually in operating costs versus maybe
$3-5 million in fare revenue.
For a state like Nebraska that is fiscally responsible and a well run state that tops many charts, it wouldn't sit well with voters if Nebraska became a federal government dependent state. Unlike New Mexico, who is poor, highly dependent on the federal government, is one of the most uneducated states and is one of the most crime ridden states.
Yes, the Rail Runner Commuter Express rail has sprouted some cool developments and raised properly values and the Balloon Fiesta Festival is an annual event that has had good use of the Rail, but more people are opting to drive because commuter line is too slow.
The most common reasons given for not riding the train include inconvenient schedules and long travel times.
The report also states that the operational cost per passenger trip was $34 in 2017. Fares covered just 8 percent of that, with federal grants and gross receipts tax revenues making up the rest.
The report also highlights a $1 million station built south of downtown Albuquerque that was envisioned as a stop for special events at the University of New Mexico. It’s fenced off and hasn’t been used since 2011.
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/l ... 576028002/
Here are the ridership values, so that you can see and determine how the rail has been:
(Maybe if these 2 NM city pairs did not fall for the covid plandemic, like Omaha and Lincoln did not as much; their numbers would not have dropped)
2006: ~300,000 (estimated). Service began mid-year with Phase I. Initial daily ridership averaged 4,000-4,500 during free periods, dropping to 1,000-2,500 after fares were introduced, suggesting a partial-year total around this range.
2007: ~750,000 (estimated). Daily ridership stabilized at 2,500 by summer, with full-year service from Belen to Bernalillo and partial expansion southward.
2008: ~900,000 (estimated). Phase II to Santa Fe opened in December. Daily averages rose to 4,500 by mid-2009, but 2008 reflects a mix of Phase I and early Phase II ridership.
2009: ~1,100,000 (estimated). Full year with Santa Fe extension; daily ridership hit 4,500 mid-year, trending upward.
2010: 1,240,000. This was the peak year, with 4,000 average weekday trips reported.
2011: ~1,200,000 (estimated). Ridership began declining post-peak, though still above 1 million based on trends.
2012: ~1,100,000 (estimated). Decline continued; cumulative 7.9 million riders reported by mid-2014 over 8 years suggests a steady drop from 2010.
2013: ~1,000,000 (estimated). Continued downward trend, aligning with later reports of annual decreases.
2014: ~900,000 (estimated). By June, 8 million total riders since 2006 were reported, averaging roughly this figure for the year.
2015: ~850,000 (estimated). Decline persisted, consistent with later annual drops of 5-6%.
2016: ~800,000 (estimated). Trend-based estimate, as ridership fell toward 2017 levels.
2017: 787,116. Exact figure from July 2016-June 2017 fiscal year data.
2018: ~740,000 (estimated). 6% drop from 2017 reported, aligning with fiscal year trends.
2019: <750,000. Reported as a low point, slightly below or near 2018 levels; daily trips averaged 2,200 by February.
2020: ~200,000 (estimated). Pandemic halted service from March 2020 to March 2021; limited pre-shutdown ridership (e.g., 584,400 in 2023 suggests a sharp drop in 2020).
2021: ~150,000 (estimated). Service resumed March 8 with reduced capacity (160 per train vs. 600), and ridership was 19% below 2021 reopening levels by 2022.
2022: ~400,000 (estimated). Partial recovery post-reopening, though still far below pre-pandemic levels; 13 million total riders by June suggest slow growth.
2023: 584,400. Exact annual ridership reported, with 2,800 weekday trips by Q3 2024.
2024: 773,900. Reported for the full year, with 2,300 weekday trips as of Q4 2024.
Based on the NM rail line between Santa Fe and Alburqueque, it appears that a similar commuter line between Omaha and Lincoln would carry the same success and burden. The commuter project would have to be highly successful and not just a mixed bag, or many of the Nebraska electorate would be upset if Nebraska became another New Mexico clone that's often at the bottom in stats. And partaking into a large public transit project like this one, that is a mixed bag, could damage the image of pursuing other viable transit projects like the streetcar.
It seems that the only way that a rail line would be able to compete with the car and be a success between Lincoln and Omaha, would be a "bullet train".
As well as electrification, double-tracking or express rail routes; would cut down travel times. Since Albuquerque has a problem of infrequent trains and outdated infrastructure, like single tracks limiting frequency.
Currently the car is the most convenient and fastest way to get between Lincoln and Omaha.
Do post your counter arguments because it is imperative that we weigh the benefits and drawbacks in partaking in a commuter rail project like this one.
I like the idea of trains making a return, as long as the projects are viable.
Fun fact: Albuquerque has a street named "Omaha"
