A $5 million annual increase in federal transit funding for metro Albuquerque is the result of and will benefit Rail Runner Express commuter trains, according to the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

The increased funding is expected to offset the loss of other federal funds that led to a shortfall in the Rail Runner budget.

“Since the election, the governor’s office has insisted that Rail Runner operations be self-sufficient and not be born on the backs of statewide taxpayers”, state Transportation Secretary Alvin C. Dominguez said in a statement released by MR-COG.  “With this new funding source being available to Rail Runner operations, we think that this effectively eliminates the need for state support of the day-to-day operations.”

The metro area already receives about $8 million a year to support bus operations, but rail service moved the area into a new funding formula.

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