FEWER PEOPLE ARE HOPPING ON THE BIRD. PASSENGER TRAFFIC ON THE NEW MEXICO RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS IS DOWN THIS QUARTER WHEN COMPARED TO OCTOBER-THRU-DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR. SPOKESWOMAN AUGUSTA MEYERS SAYS IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE A DROP IN RIDERSHIP WHEN GAS PRICES GO DOWN. 

 

BUT THE WEEKEND NUMBERS ARE STRONGER THAN LAST YEAR. MEYERS SAYS THE BEEFED-UP WEEKEND SCHEDULE MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO SANTA FE AND RETURN AT AN EARLIER HOUR, MAKING THE TRIP MORE ATTRACTIVE.