Rapid Ride is the name of a bus rapid transit service operated by ABQ RIDE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Inaugurated on December 21, 2004, Rapid Ride was intended to provide a faster and more efficient means of public transit in Albuquerque and serve as a pilot project for a potential light rail line. Rapid Ride serves an 11-mile route (766) which runs along Central Avenue from Unser to Wyoming, then north to the Uptown Transit Center. Stops are about a mile apart at specially designated Rapid Ride stations rather than the normal city bus stops, which are about two blocks apart. The Rapid Ride fleet currently consists of 12 New Flyer DE60LF articulated 60-foot low floor buses, which are painted in ABQ RIDE's new red and gold color scheme. The buses are powered by hybrid diesel-electric engines and utilize a signal priority system which can manipulate traffic lights to further shorten travel times. All Rapid Ride buses are wheelchair accessible, using a ramp (rather than a lift) that can be deployed automatically or manually.
In April 17, 2006, a second Rapid Ride route, the West Side Rapid Ride (156) started service. It runs as a commuter with four (two northbound and two southbound) runs in the morning and three (two northbound and one southbound) runs in the evening. The route runs on Coors Blvd from Cottonwood Mall to the Alamosa Community Center. There is currently a proposal to increase frequency to 20 minutes during peak times.
On July 20, 2006, ABQ RIDE has placed an order for six additional Rapid Ride buses. The six buses will once again be the New Flyer DE60LF. These new buses will likely see service on the West Side Rapid Ride (156).