ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A heated discussion over ABQ RIDE’s decision to end its annual Christmas Eve luminaria bus tours spilled into Monday night’s City Council meeting, where one councilor questioned the city’s reasoning and raised concerns about public safety.
“Did we just ruin people’s Christmases? Is the city the Grinch?”
Councilor Joaquin Baca pressed leaders from Mayor Tim Keller’s administration about the decision to cancel the tours and discontinue funding for security and barriers associated with the event.
“We’re potentially going to create pedestrian deaths. Right? That’s what you’re telling me,” Baca said.
The city announced last week that it would end the Christmas Eve bus tours, a long-running holiday tradition that showcased luminarias in neighborhoods including the Country Club area.
City Chief Operating Officer Matthew Whalen said the city has had to reassess the program.
“This has been something we’ve been doing for a long time, but like a lot of other things, you have to adjust,” Whalen said.
Baca argued eliminating the tours while also removing security measures could create dangerous conditions.
“You’re going to add more traffic into an area with no security structure, with people driving with their lights off and pedestrians out. That’s a recipe for disaster,” Baca said.
City administration officials said the bus tour costs $200,000. They said the city does not make money from ticket sales and that although tickets sell out quickly, nearly half of ticket holders do not show up.
Whalen also said the event strains an already understaffed workforce.
“It’s very taxing on a department that is understaffed when it comes to drivers,” Whalen said.
Baca noted that his father once drove buses for the event.
“He complained sometimes, but mostly he was happy. He was really happy because of the pay differential, right? We did not grow up wealthy. This is how my parents paid for Christmas,” Baca said.
City officials acknowledged there is a shortage of ABQ RIDE bus drivers but said there is no shortage of overtime opportunities. They also said they have not heard complaints from drivers about canceling the bus tours.
Baca disputed the city’s cost concerns, saying the City Council had already allocated money for the tour and arguing the expense is minor within the scope of the city’s budget.
“Cultural events are unique and special to our community. In this case, something that’s gone on for 70 years, and you guys are taking it away,” Baca said.
Baca also complained that City Council members were not notified of the decision before it was announced. He said he plans to continue fighting the move.
The mayor’s administration said it is exploring alternative ways to run the luminaria tour in the future.
In the meantime, Baca said he plans to introduce a resolution at the next City Council meeting aimed at finding potential solutions.
