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The Rio Metro Regional Transit District's board has approved a fare increase for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express service.

In most cases, the fares will increase $1 to $2 for a day pass, $4 to $11 for a monthly pass, and $35 to $110 for an annual pass.

The fare hike was approved in response to an upcoming discontinuation of “significant federal funds,” board officials said in a prepared statement. They anticipate the fare increase to generate $600,000 in additional annual revenue if ridership is maintained at its current level.

“These are tough economic times, and we must continually look at various cost-saving options to keep the Rail Runner solvent,” said Rio Metro Chairman Steve Shaw. “The fare increase would not resolve all the fiscal challenges the Rail Runner is facing, but would be an important part of the solution.”