ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s long been a goal of the city to link a special trolley service between the ABQ BioPark, museums, and other cultural hot spots. Now, a recent study is shedding light on if the city’s newer electric tram could help make it happen.
Story continues below
- News: Governor seeks plan for the redevelopment of Expo New Mexico
- Don’t Miss: Champion of DWI reform in New Mexico passed away over the weekend
- Traffic: NMDOT presents new plan for I-25 ‘S-Curve’ that would preserve homes in Albuquerque
- Sports: Lobo basketball player speaks out about alleged attack by teammate
Right now, the BioPark tram links the zoo with the botanic garden and aquarium, but the city wants to go as far as Old Town and the Hispanic Cultural Center. The city paid to do a study earlier this year on an idea to lengthen the tram route well outside of the BioPark.
“This report gave us a lot of options on whether that’s trolleys, electric shuttles, vans and expand from the Sawmill area with Explora, the museums to the BioPark to the Natural Hispanic Cultural Center and maybe even up to the railyards,” said Brandon Gibson, Director for the ABQ BioPark.
Some of the ideas suggest new routes under Central or Bridge or even taking the tram onto city streets. However, the study says there are concerns like the tram’s length, speed, and safety since there are no seat belts and an open-air design. “On some of these tight turns, it’s not the most maneuverable vehicles. We also looked at shuttles that are enclosed for seasonal usage and trollies and also electric versions of each of those,” said Gibson.
“I think it would be really helpful to have it in this city. We’d have less traffic on the streets and it would make it so much easier for people to get around,” said Julianna Westcott, ABQ resident.
“To link them all together would be a perfect opportunity to come to a city and see a lot in an easy manner,” said Dan Watson, ABQ BioPark visitor.
The study is the only thing the city’s solidified with the project and there are no plans yet for starting an extended tram service or building anything for it. The BioPark said they also don’t have any funding set aside for an expansion yet.
