Lobo Special Events Platform | |||||||||||
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| Rail Runner Express commuter rail station | |||||||||||
 Lobo Special Events Platform | |||||||||||
| General information | |||||||||||
| Location | 1425 Commercial Street SE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 35°4′8″N 106°38′59″W / 35.06889°N 106.64972°W | ||||||||||
| Line(s) | |||||||||||
| Platforms | 1 side platform | ||||||||||
| Tracks | 1 | ||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||
| Accessible | Yes | ||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||
| Fare zone | Zone B | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | September 12, 2009 | ||||||||||
| Closed | December 2009[1] | ||||||||||
| Passengers | |||||||||||
| 227 (cumulative lifetime total passenger count) | |||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||
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The Lobo Special Events Platform is an inactive limited use platform on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. MRCOG created the station in 2009 at a cost of $1 million (equivalent to $1.4 million in 2023), split between MRCOG and the University of New Mexico.[2][3][4] It was created as an incentive for residents of the region to use alternative transportation to attend University of New Mexico sports games[5] as well as games of the Albuquerque Isotopes minor baseball team at Isotopes Park.
The station was last used in 2009 and only ever opened during four sporting events, when it serviced a cumulative total of 227 passengers. Bus shuttles provided service from the platform to the stadiums.
Each Rail Runner station contains an icon to express each community's identity. The icons representing this station are a Lobo, using the sports mascot from the University of New Mexico Athletic Department, and the logo for the Albuquerque Isotopes.
The last time the Rail Runner stopped at the station was in December 2009, for the New Mexico Bowl.[6] Afterwards, the station became inactive, and the Rail Runner website no longer acknowledges the platform on its website or any of its materials. MRCOG cited the costs associated with chartering buses and low ridership interest as reasons for not using the platform. Neither MRCOG, Rio Metro, or UNM have held any discussions regarding the future use of the station.[4]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Abandonedwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "NM Rail Runner Express completes Lobo Special Events Platform". RT&S. Railway, Track, and Structures. Archived from the original on 23 April 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ "NM Rail Runner Express completes Lobo Special Events Platform". Railway, Track, and Structures. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ a b Luby, Ryan. "Rail Runner's $1M 'ghost train' station remains unused, off map". KOB 4 TV. KOB. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ^ "Freshman QB Triggers Wyoming's Bowl Run". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Journal. 18 December 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ Heild, Colleen (26 August 2012). "Political Pressure Led to Bad Decisions". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2 February 2015.