ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The City of Albuquerque is refining its recent security improvements for city buses after a comprehensive study highlighted several areas needing attention. The report, completed last year, emphasizes increasing the presence of security personnel on buses and ensuring faster response times to incidents. “This isn’t a temporary fix; it’s a permanent solution,” stated Bobby Sisneros, Deputy Director of ABQ Ride.
In response to growing safety concerns among transit riders and workers, the Albuquerque City Council passed an ordinance in 2023 directing ABQ Ride to conduct a detailed safety assessment and develop a long-term improvement strategy. David Pennington, Vice President of Parametrix Consulting, which conducted the study, noted the challenges faced by bus operators, including physical and verbal assaults, harassment, and poor sanitation conditions onboard.
Parametrix analyzed more than 10,000 incident reports to formulate its recommendations. One key suggestion was to establish a streamlined process to speed up deployment of officers or first responders during emergencies. Pennington explained, “Multiple city departments and agencies are involved in transit security, but the lack of clear accountability can delay response, with some assuming others are handling the situation.”
Also Read – 3,000 Free Backpacks Up for Grabs in Albuquerque School Supply Drive
The study also identified a need for better incident tracking. Sisneros pointed out that “there were periods in 2018 and 2019 where no incident data was collected, underscoring how critical accurate data is to building a strong security program.”
A major recommendation calls for tripling the number of Transit Safety Officers (TSOs) patrolling bus routes. The Albuquerque Police Department supports this plan, noting that an increased TSO presence will relieve sworn officers, allowing them to focus on other critical duties. APD Commander Gerard Bartlett said, “TSOs can handle specific calls for service, which frees up our sworn officers to concentrate on higher priority law enforcement tasks.”
ABQ Ride is optimistic about the plan’s long-term impact. Sisneros added, “We’ve carefully researched and identified what’s truly needed. The plan is designed to adapt as community needs evolve, but the core strategy will remain consistent.”
Once fully implemented, ABQ Ride aims to expand its Transit Safety Officer team to 87 members. The study underpinning this plan cost approximately $500,000.
