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The Rio Metro Regional Transit District Board has rescinded its proposal to eliminate weekend service on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.

Last month, the board voted to eliminate weekend service to balance the fiscal-year 2012 budget, which is $1.2 million less than the previous year’s budget. However, the board now has decided not to cancel weekend service at the end of August. Instead, board members approved schedule modifications that will save costs.

For example, the first weekday northbound train between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, as well as the first southbound train between Sandoval County/US 550 and downtown Albuquerque, will be replaced with bus service. The agency also will consolidate the last two southbound trains leaving Santa Fe into one train, departing at 9 p.m. And, during the winter months, Saturday Rail Runner service will be reduced to two northbound and two southbound trips.