To: Tom Church, The New Mexico State House, The New Mexico State Senate, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Keep the New Mexico Rail Runner Express running for FUTURE generations
We are concerned that the state of New Mexico doesn't want to continue the Rail Runner Express service due to the associated price tag. We do not want our state to take away this valuable service, but rather to improve and expand it. The New Mexico Department of Transportation should look into expanding service to other parts of our state or raising ticket prices to be similar to those of other commuter railroads like Metrolink, GO Transit, and Sounder.
For those of us who do not have the luxury of owning a personal vehicle or the funds to travel by air transportation, the New Mexico Rail Runner is how we get from point A to B. Taking that away would mean we could lose our jobs or have to drop out of school due to lack of transportation. So please, listen to your citizens who use this train service and keep the New Mexico Rail Runner Express running.
Why is this important?
I have personally used this service for school and work. I do not have the luxury of a personal vehicle to travel in, and I do not make much money. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express has been there for me to use when I had no other transportation.
To hear state officials say it may not be worth the money is sad. Discontinuing service would hurt not only me but all of the current 4,500 riders who use it daily.(1)
If you have ever used this service or know someone—whether it be a friend or family member—who uses it, please sign your name and let New Mexico's lawmakers know we want this train to stay!