ALBUQUERQUE - Less than a month after taking to the track, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is celebrating a major milestone - its 100,000th rider.

"The ridership has been nothing short of phenomenal," said Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. "We've been averaging well over 4,000 passengers a day since the train started running back in mid-July. We knew we'd reach this landmark in service, but we didn't know we'd reach it this soon."

The Rail Runner, which has become the fastest start-up of a commuter rail train in the country in the past 20 years, currently carries commuters between Albuquerque and Bernalillo. In the next several weeks, service south to Los Lunas and Belen will be added

"We're excited about the way people have embraced this new mode of transportation in the heart of New Mexico," says Mid-Region Council of Governments Transportation Director Chris Blewett. "It shows that commuters are ready to trade paying three-dollars for a gallon of gas for a ride on the train."

The person to be designated the official 100,000th passenger was notified of their unique distinction at the Downtown Albuquerque Rail Runner station Aug. 14 following the arrival of the 8:45a.m. train.

That rider received a "goody basket" of Rail Runner items, as well as a variety of gift certificates from local downtown merchants who wanted to offer their congratulations.

For more information on train schedules and fares, visit www.nmrailrunner.com or call 245-RAIL.