Lobo Special Events Platform station

The Lobo Special Events Platform is an inactive limited use platform on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line. MRCOG created the station in 2009 at a cost of $1 million (equivalent to $1.4 million in 2022), split between MRCOG and The University of New Mexico.[2][3][4] It was created as an incentive for residents of the region to use alternative transportation to attend University of New Mexico sports games[5] as well as games of the Albuquerque Isotopes minor baseball team at Isotopes Park.

Lobo Special Events Platform
Rail Runner Express commuter rail station
Lobo Special Events Platform
General information
Location1425 Commercial Street SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
Coordinates35°4′8″N 106°38′59″W
Line(s)
  Rail Runner Express
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks1
Construction
AccessibleYes
Other information
Fare zoneZone B
History
OpenedSeptember 12, 2009
ClosedDecember 2009[1]
Passengers
227 (cumulative lifetime total passenger count)
Services
Preceding station New Mexico Rail Runner Express Following station
Bernalillo County/​International Sunport
toward Belen
 Rail Runner Express Downtown Albuquerque
toward Santa Fe Depot

The station was last used in 2009 and only ever opened during four sporting events, when it serviced a cumulative total of 227 passengers. Bus shuttles provided service from the platform to the stadiums.

Each Rail Runner station contains an icon to express each community's identity. The icons representing this station are a Lobo, using the sports mascot from the University of New Mexico Athletic Department, and the logo for the Albuquerque Isotopes.

The last time the Rail Runner stopped at the station was in December 2009, for the New Mexico Bowl.[6] Afterwards, the station became inactive, and the Rail Runner website no longer acknowledges the platform on its website or any of its materials. MRCOG cited the costs associated with chartering buses and low ridership interest as reasons for not using the platform. Neither MRCOG, Rio Metro, or UNM have held any discussions regarding the future use of the station.[4]

Passengers

The station was used by 60 passengers for a Fall 2009 Tulsa-New Mexico football game. The next month, 91 passengers used it for a UNLV-New Mexico game. In November 2009, 49 passengers used the station for a BYU game. 27 passengers used the station it was last ever used, in December 2009, for a Fresno State-Wyoming game.

In total, 227 passengers ever used the Lobo Special Events Platform before it was retired from service.[1]

References
  1. "No Plans to Reopen Abandoned $800K Commuter Train Stop". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019. the Lobo platform was completed in September 2009 and soon inaugurated for the Tulsa-New Mexico football game. Sixty passengers went to that game on the Rail Runner. That next month, 91 fans used the platform for the UNLV-New Mexico game. The Rail Runner hosted 49 passengers for the BYU game in November. In December 2009, the university ordered a special train for the New Mexico Bowl to see Fresno State battle Wyoming but only 27 fans took the train.
  2. "NM Rail Runner Express completes Lobo Special Events Platform". RT&S. Railway, Track, and Structures. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  3. "NM Rail Runner Express completes Lobo Special Events Platform". Railway, Track, and Structures. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  4. Luby, Ryan. "Rail Runner's $1M 'ghost train' station remains unused, off map". KOB 4 TV. KOB. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  5. "Freshman QB Triggers Wyoming's Bowl Run". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Journal. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  6. Heild, Colleen (26 August 2012). "Political Pressure Led to Bad Decisions". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2 February 2015.


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