Homeschool benefits: Rio Metro
All Rio Metro bus and Dial-a-Ride services in the Albuquerque area are fare free, and on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train children 9 and under ride free while youth ages 10 to 17 pay reduced fares from $1 a trip. No school enrollment is required, so your homeschooled child rides on the same terms as anyone.
Who qualifies
Rides a Rio Metro bus
Every Rio Metro bus and Dial-a-Ride service is fare free, with no age, residency, or school condition listed.
Train rider age 9 or under
Children 9 and under ride the Rail Runner free, and children must be at least 10 to ride without a supervising adult.
Shows ID for youth fares
Youth ages 10 to 17 get reduced train fares by showing a valid ID or notification. Students can also use a valid student ID or proof of enrollment.
What the fares cost
Rio Metro's train fare table lists reduced fares for youth ages 10 to 17; adult one-way fares run from $2 in one zone to $10 in six zones.
- One way, 1 zone
- $1
- One way, 3 zones
- $2
- One way, 6 zones
- $5
- Day pass, 1 zone, app or online
- $1
- Monthly pass, 1 zone, app or online
- $4.50
- Children 9 and under
- Free
Passes bought onboard cost more than the same pass bought in the app or online, so buy day and monthly passes ahead.
How to ride
- Before you ride
Choose bus or train
Buses and Dial-a-Ride are free. For the train, check how many zones your trip crosses.
- Before boarding the train
Buy a youth fare
Buy passes in the app or online for the lower price, and bring your child's ID or proof of enrollment for the reduced fare.
- After the train
Transfer free
A valid one-way, day, or monthly train pass gives free transfers to Rio Metro buses, ABQ RIDE, North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) buses, and Santa Fe Trails.
What it includes
Included
- Rio Metro bus routes
- Dial-a-Ride service
- Rail Runner rides for children 9 and under
- Free transfers from the train to partner buses
Not included
- Full-price Rail Runner fares for riders 10 and older without reduced-fare ID
- Free transfers to Rio Rancho Dial-a-Ride
Good to know
Youth ages 10 to 17 qualify by age
Youth ages 10 to 17 get the youth fare with a valid ID or notification, so a school ID is not required. A student ID or proof of enrollment is another route.
Who to contact about fares
Rio Metro Customer Service answers questions about fares, reduced-fare ID, and bus and train service.
riometro@mrcog-nm.gov 866-795-7245 Contact page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in New Mexico
You must notify the New Mexico Public Education Department within 30 days after establishing the home school, then renew on or before August 1 each subsequent year.
New Mexico sets these rules:
- Subjects: Instruction in New Mexico must include reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science.
- Testing: New Mexico does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: New Mexico requires you to keep disease-immunization records or a waiver. NMPED recommends keeping notices, instructional-hour records, materials, and work portfolios, but does not require those academic records.
- Teachers: The person providing instruction must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Read the New Mexico homeschooling guide See statewide programs in New Mexico
Questions parents ask
- Do young children need a ticket on the Rail Runner?
- No. Children 9 and under ride free, but they must travel with a supervising adult.
- What does a monthly youth train pass cost?
- From $4.50 for one zone to $20.50 for six zones when bought in the app or online, or $9.50 to $30.50 onboard.
- Can we transfer from the train to a bus for free?
- Yes. A valid one-way, day, or monthly train pass gives free transfers to Rio Metro buses, ABQ RIDE, NCRTD buses, and Santa Fe Trails, but not to Rio Rancho Dial-a-Ride.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
A student fare helps with trips to classes and activities. We handle the learning at home, with lessons built around your child's interests and feedback on their work.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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