Short over 100 drivers, some ABQ Ride buses will stop less frequently, run fewer hours

A staffing shortage has prompted ABQ Ride to reduce service on several bus lines in an effort to provide some “relief” to stretched-thin employees. Several bus routes will stop less frequently, and others will see cuts to their overall hours of service starting Oct. 14.

Currently, 41% of the bus driver positions — 106 total — are vacant. For vehicle maintenance staff, that number is 40%, or 17 positions.

“We just weren’t able to meet the demand,” said Megan Holcomb, a spokesperson for the city of Albuquerque’s Transit Department.

Atlas Hardage, who rides the Route 10 bus that serves Fourth Street — one of the routes impacted — said he anticipates already-packed buses will become more crowded after the changes. He said he’s seen drivers stop and say the buses can’t fit more passengers. Sometimes, they just pass him by.

“With less buses, you’ve got more people on board,” Hardage said. “That, in general, just makes for a more stressful situation.”

Hardage said the Route 10 bus is one of the most-used lines he’s seen in the city. For regular commuters, he said, getting to work on time might become more anxiety-inducing as service is disrupted.

Although some of the frequency changes might seem minimal — for example, changing from 20-minute stops to 24-minute stops — Jason Lolis said he believes the actual difference in time might be much longer due to delays. To get to the bank by noon, Lolis said, he has to leave three hours early, and he worries about having to wait longer amounts of time when the weather is bad.

“If you ride the buses on a regular basis, they’re always late,” Lolis said.

Janus Herrera, who works for the Health Equity Council, said cutting back on late-night stops and truncating route distances could also be a safety concern. One route she took drops her off miles from her home.

“I was able to jump on my bike, because I was scared to walk by myself from where I would get dropped off to where I live,” Herrera said. “So I absolutely believe that is a safety issue.”

The riders had ideas to increase staffing, including raises for drivers and shorter hours. Hardage said some of the bus drivers he’s spoken with over the years have expressed frustration over swing shifts.

Holcomb said the department is working on several efforts to increase and retain staff. On Oct. 17 and 27, Transit is hosting hiring fairs, where staff may be able to fast-track background checks. The department is also trying to improve work-life balance by leveling out hours for bus drivers who have been clocking overtime to pick up the slack.

Additional raises for employees are also on Transit’s mind, Holcomb said. At the end of 2022, the city announced $2.25/hour raises for starting motor coach drivers, bringing the wages up to $17.65/hour. At the end of a six-month probationary period, that jumps to $19.59, up $1.94/hour from before.

Since the raises were announced, Transit has hired 41 new drivers. But between November 2022 and now, the department has lost 52 people to resignation, retirement and termination — a net loss of drivers.

Lolis and Herrera also said they’d both like to see safer conditions for drivers. Lolis called for security officers; Herrera said she’d support having a designated social worker ride alongside drivers.

“The drivers have to deal with everything the cops have to deal with,” Lolis said. “But with less training.”