Alvarado Transportation Center facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alvarado Transportation Center
Amtrak station Rail Runner commuter rail station
ABQ Ride Bus bay, with Alvarado Building
Other names	Albuquerque ATC
Location	100 First Street Southwest Albuquerque, NM 87102
Owned by	City of Albuquerque
Platforms	1 side platform, 3 island platforms
Tracks	4
Connections	Greyhound Lines, ABQRide
Construction
Parking	No
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	ABQ (Amtrak)
Fare zone	Zone B (Rail Runner)
History
Opened	2002 (Alvarado TC, ABQRide) 2006 (NMRX) 2008 (Amtrak)
Traffic
Passengers (2019)	67,354  2.77% (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station Gallup toward Los Angeles Southwest Chief Lamy toward Chicago Preceding station New Mexico Rail Runner Express Following station Bernalillo County/​International Sunport toward Belen Rail Runner Express Montaño toward Santa Fe Depot Lobo Special Events Platform Special events only toward Belen
Former services Preceding station Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Following station Isleta toward Los Angeles Main Line Alameda toward Chicago Isleta toward El Paso El Paso Branch Terminus

The Alvarado Transportation Center (ATC) is a big building in Downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's a place where different types of transportation meet up. Think of it as a central hub for buses and trains. People use the ATC to catch ABQ RIDE city buses, Amtrak long-distance trains, Greyhound Lines intercity buses, and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter train.

The building itself looks special. It has a style called Mission Revival architecture. This style makes it look like the old Alvarado Hotel that used to be right here. The ATC also has a cool clock tower that faces Central Avenue and First Street.

History of the Alvarado Transportation Center

The La Castañeda in Las Vegas, New Mexico, was built in 1899. It was a Harvey House hotel, similar to the Alvarado.

Albuquerque's first train station was built on this spot in the 1880s. As more people traveled, a bigger place was needed. So, the Alvarado Hotel was built in 1902. This hotel was famous for its luxury. It was one of many "Harvey Houses" along the train routes. These hotels were known for their good service and food.

The hotel was designed by Charles Whittlesey. The inside was designed by Mary Colter. The hotel was named after Hernando de Alvarado, who was part of an expedition in 1540. A train station was also built next to the hotel. It had a unique tower and the same Mission Revival style.

By the mid-1900s, fewer people traveled by train. The Alvarado Hotel closed and was torn down in 1970. For many years, the area was just a dirt parking lot. Then, in 1993, the old train station burned down. Amtrak used a small temporary building for passengers after that.

The current ATC complex was built in the 2000s. It was designed by a local architecture firm. The first part opened in 2002 for ABQ RIDE city buses. The second part opened in 2006. This added space for Amtrak, Greyhound, and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. The ATC was designed to look like the old Alvarado Hotel and train station. It has many similar architectural features.

A drawing of the old Alvarado Hotel and train station campus from 1902. It shows the Mission Revival style of the buildings.

Transportation Services at the ATC

Amtrak Train Service

The ATC is a stop for Amtrak's daily Southwest Chief train. This train travels long distances. When the train stops in Albuquerque, passengers can get off. The train is cleaned, refueled, and the crew changes.

Amtrak moved its passenger services to the ATC in 2008. Before that, they used a small building nearby. That old building is now used for baggage claim and storage.

New Mexico Rail Runner Express

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is a commuter train. It started service in 2006. It connects Albuquerque to places like Sandoval County, Belen, and Santa Fe. This station is often called the Downtown Albuquerque Station. Each Rail Runner station has a special picture or icon. The ATC building itself is the icon for this station.

Many Rail Runner trains start or end their trips here. You can catch a train going north to Santa Fe or south to Belen. Rio Metro also provides extra bus service early in the morning.

Intercity Bus Service

The ATC has a large area for intercity buses. This is where you can catch buses to other cities. There's a waiting area, ticket booths for Greyhound and Amtrak, and a small cafeteria. Greyhound buses travel from Albuquerque to many cities, including:

• St Louis, MO
• Phoenix, AZ
• Denver, CO
• El Paso, TX

ABQ RIDE City Buses

ABQ RIDE is the local bus system for Albuquerque. The ATC has an indoor waiting room for ABQ RIDE passengers. It has a customer service desk, restrooms, and a small cafe. The main office for ABQ RIDE is also in this building.

Many ABQ RIDE bus routes start from the ATC. Some popular routes include:

• 5 - Montgomery/Carlisle
• 11 - Lomas
• 36 - Rio Grande
• 40 - D-Ride Free downtown Shuttle
• 50 - Yale/Martin Luther King Jr Ave/Airport
• 66 - Central (This bus stops right in front of the ATC.)
• 766 - Rapid Ride Red Line (This bus also stops in front of the ATC.)
• 777 - Rapid Ride Green Line (This bus also stops in front of the ATC.)

The #40 D-Ride shuttle started in 2006. It helps people easily get around downtown Albuquerque. Other buses are also scheduled to connect with the Rail Runner trains.

Rio Metro and New Mexico Park and Ride

New Mexico Park and Ride runs two bus routes from the ATC:

• The Turquoise route goes to and from Moriarty. It has one arrival and one departure on weekdays.
• The Purple route leaves the ATC in the morning on weekdays. It helps people connect with the Rail Runner.

Rio Metro also operates three other buses from the ATC.

Other Shuttle Services

The University of New Mexico (UNM) and UNM Hospital offer special shuttles. These shuttles take UNM students and staff to and from the ATC. They are free to ride. They are timed to meet certain Rail Runner train arrivals and departures.

If someone is picking you up or dropping you off, they can do so at the southern part of the complex. This is in front of the Amtrak/Greyhound waiting room. Taxis and limos also use this area.

Parking at the ATC

The ATC does not have its own dedicated parking for the public. However, there are other parking options nearby:

• A paid parking garage is across the street on 1st Street. You enter it from 2nd Street.
• There is some free 30-minute street parking on 1st Street for Greyhound and Amtrak passengers.
• You can find free 3-hour street parking on 1st Street south of the Coal Ave. overpass.
• Metered parking is available on Silver, Gold, and Central Avenues.

Future Plans for the ATC

Easier Walking Access

The City of Albuquerque wants to make it easier for people to walk and bike to the ATC. They are planning to change the underpass at the railroad tracks. They want to make it a level crossing instead. This will make it safer and more convenient for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Bus Rapid Transit Improvements

The city is also planning a new bus system called Albuquerque Rapid Transit. This new system will replace the current Rapid Ride buses. The plan is to use the existing bus stop for eastbound buses. For westbound buses, a new platform will be built in the middle of Central Avenue.

Gallery

• 

  The ATC viewed from 1st Street

• 

  The Clock Tower at Central & 1st

• 

  The bus depot and Amtrak station

• 

  The Rail Runner station