From Santa Fe: "Santa Fe train user gets free yearly pass," by Phaedra Haywood for the Santa Fe New Mexican

This story originally appeared on the website for the Santa De New Mexican at this address: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Santa-Fe-train-user-gets-free-yearly-pass. This link no longer works. A copy of the original story appears below.


Maggie Ryan of Santa Fe will be riding the Rail Runner for free for the next year. The University of New Mexico graduate student was awarded a free annual pass and other goodies Monday while en route to Albuquerque, when she was recognized as the commuter trains' 3-millionth rider. 

"It's so funny, and it's so great," said Ryan, who added that all of her friends have said if anyone deserved to win something train-related it is she, because she is such a "cheerleader" for the train link between Santa Fe and metropolitan Albuquerque. 

Ironically, Ryan said, she used to work in special events for a commuter train in Vermont, where her job duties might have included awarding prizes like the those she received Monday.



The 30-year-old said she's been taking the train to Albuquerque two to four times per week since Rail Runner service was extended to Santa Fe in late 2008.



"I sold my car in November," Ryan said. "I really didn't need it anymore. I was taking the train, which saved me tons of time and money. Now instead of having a commute, eating up hours of my day, I get three hours of solitary, uninterrupted, productive time. I don't stress out. I get to school feeling good and I get home feeling good."



The landscape architecture student said she uses her time on the train to read, write and work up designs on her laptop.



The trains, which run as far south as Belen and as far north as downtown Santa Fe, transport about 4,500 passengers a day, according to train officials.



The annual pass Ryan won Monday is worth $1,000.



As much as she loves the Rail Runner, Ryan does have one suggestion for train management.



"I think they should have concessions or something," Ryan said. "It would be nice to be able to get like a soda, or to have a Friday night Happy Hour train home."