TRANSIT AND RAIL

New Mexico Department of Transportation's (NMDOT) Transit and Rail Division provides information to transit providers and the public on public transit service, rules and regulations, applying for federal transit grant programs, transit and rail plans and programs, and permitting procedures for accessing and crossing rail right-of-way. Please see the links below for necessary information for transit providers and grant applicants, as well as other transit related information for transit agencies and the public. The Transit & Rail Division also wants you to know that our staff is available to offer technical assistance, help answer questions, and put you in contact with others who have the same interests and goals.

David Harris,  Transit and Rail Division Director
505-699-4350 davidc.harris@state.nm.us

Office Location: 1350 Alta Vista St., SB-4, PO Box 1149, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Division Phone Line: 505-827-3248

TRANSIT BUREAU

Kevin Olinger, Transit Bureau Chief
505-469-3595 kevin.olinger@state.nm.us 
Deborah Bach, Rural Transit Programs Manager
505-819-9112 deborah.bach@state.nm.us
Gabrielle Chavez, Transit Planning and Service Coordination Manager
505-469-4413 gabrielle.chavez@state.nm.us

TRANSIT OVERSIGHT, PLANNING AND SERVICE COORDINATION

• Manages the NMDOT Park and Ride intercity bus service.
• Administers federal transit grant funding and programs, and provides technical and coordination assistance to public and private non-profit public transit systems.
• Administers federal transit grants used by the state’s larger municipalities for public transit-related programs.
• Administers federal transit planning grants to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (Metropolitan Planning Program - Section 5303) and Statewide (Section 5304).
• Administers flexible Federal Highway Administration funds used for transit purposes.
• Assists local governments to establish Regional Transit Districts (RTDs) and then assists the RTDs to plan, coordinate and implement service.

TRANSIT PROVIDER RESOURCES

FY 2020 FTA Section 5310 and 5311 Budget Awards
FY 2019 FTA Section 5310 and 5311 Budget Awards
FY 2018 FTA Section 5310 and 5311 Budget Awards
FY 2017 FTA Section 5310 and 5311 Budget Awards
FY 2016 FTA Section 5310 and 5311 Budget Awards
FY 2015 FTA Section 5310 and 5311 Budget Awards
FY 2014 FTA Section 5310 and 5311 Budget Awards
FY 2013 FTA Section 5310, 5311, 5316, 5317 Budget Awards
FY 2012 FTA Section 5310, 5311, 5316, 5317 Budget Awards

Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plans

• Northern Pueblos Regional Transportation Planning Organization / Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization (September 2019)
• Northeast Regional Transportation Planning Organization (September 2019)
• Northwest Regional Transportation Planning Organization / Farmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (September 2019)
• South Central Regional Transportation Planning Organization / Mesilla Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization / El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (September 2019)
• Southeast Regional Transportation Planning Organization (September 2019)
• Southwest Regional Transportation Planning Organization (September 2019)
• Mid-Region Council of Governments - Mid-Region Regional Transportation Planning Organization / Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (September 2019)

State Management Plan

• New Mexico State Management Plan (SMP) for the Administration of Federal Transit Grants (December 2018)
• Vehicle Disposition Form
  

Vehicle Procurement

• Transit Vehicle Procurement Procedures (Template for non-5311 Private-non-profit Organizations)
• Contracts and Procurement Policy and Procedures Manual (Template for 5311 subrecipients)
• Statewide Transit Vehicle Price Agreement - Agreement 60-00015
  

Title VI

• Title VI Plan for FTA
  
• Title VI Program Questionnaire

Federal Transit Administration Legislation, Regulations and Guidance

• Regulations, Circulars/Significant Guidance
• Federal Register Publications
• Legislation
• Grant Programs

• 2019 - 2022 Group Tier II Transit Asset Management Plan
  

TRANSIT GRANT APPLICATION RESOURCES

Application Guide

• Application Guide for Federal Fiscal Year 2021

FY 2021 Application Notice of Letter of Intent

• Notice of Letter of Intent to Apply for Section 5310/5311 Funds for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 - required prior to application submission

Regional Prioritization Evaluation Measures/Criteria

• Section 5310 (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities) regional prioritization measures/criteria
• Section 5311 (Rural Public Transit) regional prioritization measures/criteria

RAIL BUREAU

William Craven, Rail Bureau Chief
505-629-3982 william.craven@state.nm.us
Robert Fine, Rail Facilities and Permitting Manager
505-629-2830 robert.fine@state.nm.us

• Manages NM Rail Runner Express passenger rail service in partnership with the Rio Metro Regional Transit District.
• Provides support for commuter rail planning and operations for existing and proposed passenger rail service.
• Responsible for preparing and updating the New Mexico State Rail Plan
• Manages the inspection, maintenance and improvement of NMDOT-owned  railroad property
• Applies for and administers Federal Railroad Administration grants
• Manages the state-wide Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Program (Section 130 Program)
• Manages permit process for new utility or roadway crossings within NMDOT-owned railroad property
• Manages permit process for temporary occupancy of NMDOT-owned railroad property such as film production, construction access, or environmental monitoring/abatement

STATE RAIL PLAN

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) State Rail Plan describes the current status of the New Mexico rail system, demonstrates the demand for and the benefits of the rail system, and identifies capital infrastructure and operating needs. The Plan also provides a strategic vision and implementation steps to help guide decisions and investments affecting New Mexico’s rail system. The State Rail Plan complies with Federal requirements and will help position NMDOT to take advantage of Federal planning and funding programs that can facilitate implementation of statewide rail improvements.

States must update their state rail plans every four years to remain current.  A state seeking federal funds for an intercity passenger rail project is required to have that project listed in a current state rail plan accepted by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). However, it is recommended that any rail project that seeks Federal funds be identified in the Rail Plan.

State Rail Plan Update

NMDOT is updating the New Mexico State Rail Plan. NMDOT anticipates completing the State Rail Plan in 2020. NMDOT Staff made presentations (available here) to the State’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) to solicit input for the Rail Plan. The Draft State Rail Plan will be available for review in early 2020. Public input and comments for the State Rail Plan should be sent to Rail.Plan@state.nm.us.

Presentations to MPOs and RTPOs, as well as public meetings, will occur after publication of the Draft State Rail Plan to present the plan and receive public comments on the Draft State Rail Plan. The schedule for these meetings will appear on this webpage once dates have been set.