I am a daily rider of the Abq. Ride system as it is my only means of transportation. I am,for the most part, well pleased with the system but there is a need for improvement in some areas.

Have you ever noticed how many of the buses run red lights and how often? I am amazed that there are not more buses involved in accidents as red light running is the norm of the bus line. I think this can be attributed to the daily commuters who have become used to these big vehicles taking off from a light just as it goes from yellow to red. Ask any bus driver and he/she will tell you that they have a schedule to keep.

Those schedules are tentative at best. I can understand a bus runniing late due to heavy traffic, an accident, or increased stopping due to passenger requirements. What I can not understand is why ANY bus is running 3 to 7 minutes ahead of schedule. There is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for ANY bus to run ahead of schedule. Have you ever missed a bus because you got to the stop 5 minutes early just to see your ride pulling away? The next bus is running 10 minutes late so you have to wait 30 minutes for a bus scheduled to run every 15 minutes.

I ride the "Bug", or 16/18 University/Gibson bus. They actually run a fairly good schedule, although I would prefer that it run more frequently (my problem). I have physical disabilities that make walking a difficulty, and quite painful. In order to transfer from the Rapid Ride to the "Bug" at Central and Carlisle, you can chose between a long uphill climb on Carlisle or 3-1/2 block walk on Central. The Rapid Ride stops within 1/2 block of Carlisle but you must make your choice of the previously mentioned treks in order to catch the "Bug". You might suggest that I ride the 66-Central. My response to that can only be "Have you been for a ride on the Central?"

Why is ther no stop at a transfer point? Because it is a turning lane? Well, I don't think that should make so much of a difference! Every right lane in the city is a turning lane if anyone thinks about it.

People ride these buses every day and I hear a lot of grumbling and complaining. What good is that if you don't pick up a phone and complain where it will make a difference? Changes are only made when enough people get sick and tired of the same ol' crap and speak up. Call in your complaints! That might help to prevent the buses from runnning early and then using the excuse that they have a schedule to keep when they run that red light, or just want to rush to the end of their route so thay can have a longer break. SPEAK UP ALBUQUERQUE!

Michael Hastcoat