Free ride options to River of Lights available
The city released a revised River of Lights traffic plan with numerous free bus options, a must-read for anyone trying to navigate their way to the regularly crowded visual extravaganza at the BioPark Botanic Garden that opens Saturday night.
“Our city departments are working … to offer a variety of easy and free transportation options so folks don’t have to waste time waiting in traffic to enjoy River of Lights,” Mayor Tim Keller said in a news release.
Gates to the River of Lights open nightly at 6 p.m. from Saturday through Dec. 23.
The free travel options and other traffic plans include:
Free park-and-ride buses at the Albuquerque zoo to allow direct bus service nightly on Nov. 24, 25, 30 and Dec. 1, 2, 7-9, 12-23, 26-30;
Free bus service to the venue starting nightly at 5 p.m. from the Uptown Transit Center, the Central and Unser Transit Center and the Alvarado Transportation Center;
Free parking nightly beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the new One Central parking garage across the street from the Alvarado Transit Center;
Free parking at Tingley Beach for a walk to the BioPark on Nov. 24, 25, 30 and Dec. 1, 2, 7-9, 12-23, 26-30;
Extra variable message signs guiding drivers to the free options will be placed along Central Avenue and Rio Grande Boulevard;
Message signs will also be along Interstate 40 giving directions to parking;
Rapid Ride buses will use designated ART bus lanes from San Pasquale to New York westbound and Atrisco to New York eastbound; and
Police and city security will be on hand at all transit centers to assist traffic and prevent theft.
The closest free parking at the Botanic Garden is limited to roughly 250 parking spaces, prompting city officials to urge visitors to use other options.
No parking is allowed outside designated parking spaces, including on Tingley Drive, the city said.