Farmington’s Red Apple transit saw a 30% increase in ridership year-over-year this June, and the transit system has been working with the police department to encourage additional ridership by providing new safety measures on the buses.
Cameras have been placed at “problematic bus stops,” and cameras on the buses now tie into the Farmington Police Department Real-time Crime Center, according to Police Chief Steve Hebbe.
“This is a nice little upgrade that will give us the ability to work closely with the bus drivers and identify problems they are having,” Hebbe said.
The Real-time Crime Center operators can “beam in and take a look and let responding officers know what is happening,” Hebbe said.
Benie Dale has been a bus driver for eight years. During that time, there have been some instances of concern, but “it always works out OK,” he said, July 16, when the Tri-City Record rode the bus.
The cameras have changed things. “It’s really helpful. It keeps everybody mellowed out,” Dale said. “It’s good to have them on.”
Alan Black, transit director for the city, said the buses always have had cameras, but only recently received an upgrade to tie into the Real-time Crime Center.
The cameras help put “an end to disputes,” Black said, adding there will always be “two different viewpoints” but the “answer is always on the cameras.”
The cameras have been added to to help citizens in need of transportation services feel more at ease, according to Black and Hebbe.
“There’s been a perception that this isn’t safe enough, but we’re making sure citizens feel safe and are safe,” Hebbe said, adding the “Red Apple is something citizens depend upon.”
Hebbe also added Farmington Park Rangers to the bus line.
“You can expect to see park rangers and officers riding the bus sometimes,” Hebbe said, adding the rangers are “enthusiastic” about doing it.
“We ride twice a day three days a week, and one day a week once,” said Saige Benally, who is a park ranger.
Sometimes they ride with a partner, and sometimes they ride alone, Benally said.
“When you get down to community policing, this is what it’s about: getting to know people where they live,” Hebbe said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure they feel safe.”
The bus system consists of five routes within the city. It also travels to Aztec, Bloomfield and Kirtland.
“We serve between 300 and 400 riders a day,” Black said. “We are pretty heavily utilized.”
A rider pays $1 in cash for service within the city and $2 in cash to travel outside of the city.
When using the system, a driver will assist the rider by helping them connect on the correct lines and give them a transfer ticket, so they only have to pay once for a ride to their destination, Black explained.
The bus can accommodate wheelchairs and allows service animals. There also is a bike rack for those who need to take their bike with them.
It is busiest early in the morning, during the lunch hour and between the hours of 3-5 p.m., according to Black, who has been transit manager for three years.
The Farmington native said he loves working in transit. “It’s pretty cool to be providing this crucial resource in the community I grew up in,” he said.
Dale also said he loves his job as a driver. “It makes me feel good to help people get where they need to be on time and to provide a safe service,” he said.
“We want people to be able to get around town, and riding the bus is a great way to do it,” Hebbe added.
For more information on the bus routes, visit farmingtonnm.gov/279/Red-Apple-Transit.