City gives its shuttle buses to Rio Metro

June 08, 2010

The Belen City Council last night unanimously approved a resolution that gives five city vehicles to the Rio Metro Transit District, a state agency that’s taking over public transportation in Valencia County.

Rio Metro will get two 2010 Glaval Universals on Ford E450 Chasis-26’s, a 2000 Dodge Para Transit, a 2007 Ford Startrans Mini Bus, and a 1994 Ford Champion.

While the city won’t get money for the vehicles, the city is likely to get money to continue parking the vehicles on city property, if Rio Metro agrees to lease city property for that purpose.

Previously, Rio Metro agreed to move staff from Belen’s public transportation to Rio Metro, saving the city money it would otherwise allocate for salaries and benefits.

The city agreed to cede control of its public transportation service to Rio Metro last September. The Village of Los Lunas did the same in January.

Rio Metro has been developing new bus routes in Valencia County to provide better service to residents across the county.

All of the changes in local public transportation are the result of a tax passed by voters in November 2008, which funds regionalized improvements in three counties, including Valencia County.

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