A collaborative effort to examine transportation and land use around the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College is broadening into a formal transit study that includes the Albuquerque Sunport.

On Thursday the Rio Metro Regional Transit District issued a formal call for proposals from professional groups interested in handling the study.

Proposals are due next month, and with extensions the contract could run for four years.

The study will focus on what is being called metro Albuquerque’s “largest activity center” taking UNM, CNM, the airport and UNM Hospital intersected by the major bus routes adjacent to UNM on Central Avenue.

Central Avenue, however, is too far from CNM to offer a convenient pedestrian connection, according to the transit district.

UNM and CNM alone generate 74,000 vehicle trips a day, many on congested routes, the district adds.

The contractor selected for the study is expected to work with the district and the 2-year-old UNM/CNM Task force to produce options for transit improvements meeting federal guidelines for potential funding.

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