NCRTD News:

The North Central Regional Transit District’s (NCRTD) iconic Blue Bus™ celebrated its 20th birthday today at an event with elected officials from the four counties and tribal organizations the District serves, along with the North Central Regional employees.

Since its inception in 2004, the organization has grown to provide millions of passenger trips within a 10,000-square-mile service area. The Blue Bus™ connects communities in Los Alamos, Taos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties as well as the northern pueblos of Ohkay Owingeh, San Ildefonso, Tesuque, Pojoaque, Santa Clara, Nambe, Picuris, Taos and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

Additional services connect communities in San Juan, Mora and San Miguel Counties. The District operates 29 routes, with a mix of fixed-routes, flex routes, on-demand MyBlue™ ridesharing service, and paratransit/ADA services.

The North Central Regional Transit District was signed into law by Gov. Bill Richardson and began service in 2007. In 2008, the public in the four-county region approved a regional gross receipts tax of 1/8 of one percent that provides the funding for services.

Today, the Blue Bus operates 29 routes, with a mix of fixed-routes and paratransit/ADA services. The District also offers MyBlue app-based ride sharing services in Taos, Española and Pojoaque/Nambé.  Since service began, there have been more than 9.5 million passenger trips provided and funded.

“The NCRTD is leading the state with its commitment to minimizing our carbon footprint,” NCRTD Board Chair Lee Garcia said. “We recently received federal funding to add a fleet of 16 electric buses and vans as part of our plan to have a zero-emission fleet.”

“We are so proud of everyone who contributed to this milestone,” NCRTD Executive Director Anthony Mortillaro said. “We have provided needed transportation to a variety of customers – from the elderly, to veterans, to students, to people wanting to take public transit instead of driving. It is a true community service, and we are looking forward to what will evolve in the next 20 years.”