Video of Santa Fe Trails’ One-Millionth Rider

The Journal accompanied Santa Fe transit employees today as they went seeking Santa Fe Trails’ one-millionth rider for 2012.

After a nearly two-hour journey along Route 1, Ruben Joseph Montoya was crowned the lucky man.

Montoya, who hopped on the bus near Agua Fria Street and Lopez Lane, was heading to work at Santa Fe Place Mall, where he’s a sales associate in the hardware deparment at Sears.

Montoya described himself as “blessed” to be named the one-millionth rider. He said the bus is his primary mode of transportation.

I’m “very thankful for the bus just being around for us that aren’t capable of driving or don’t have a vehicle or anything like that,” Montoya said.

This is the first time ever that Santa Fe Trails has had one millions riders in a calendar year.

Montoya gets a handful of fun prizes, including some $100 cash and an overnight stay at Eldorado Hotel.

Here’s a short video of city Transit Division Director Jon Bulthuis telling Montoya he’s the one-millionth rider. You’ll have to crane your neck a bit (sorry!)…