The Ride that Pays You Back 

When you think of public transit, do you think of the money you could save? What about the environmental and lifestyle benefits? Riding the Blue Bus even once a week can save you money, reduce your carbon footprint, keep your stress low, help you stay active and keep you safe. Let’s dive into all the ways the Blue Bus can impact your life. 

How Much Can You Save by Riding the Blue Bus?  

Living in north central New Mexico often means driving long distances to get to work, school, shopping or recreational activities. But every time you choose to ride the Blue Bus fare free instead of your car, you keep money in your pocket. 

Using the IRS’s 2025 standard mileage rate of $0.58 – $0.70 per mile, you can estimate the true cost of driving.  

Let’s create an example! Let’s say your Blue Bus ride replaces a 20-mile round trip in your car. Over the course of a year, here’s how the savings add up: 

That’s money you could spend on groceries, activities or even a weekend getaway just by riding the Blue Bus!  

Sometimes your trip doesn’t fit a bus schedule, or you just need to get there on your own time. That’s where MyBlue™, our $1 on-demand rideshare service in Taos, Española, Edgewood and Pojoaque/Nambé, comes in. It’s door-to-door convenience without the door-to-door cost. 

Whether you’re heading to the grocery store, a doctor’s appointment or across town for work, choosing MyBlue™ instead of your car keeps more money in your pocket. Even replacing just one round-trip drive each week can add up to hundreds of dollars in annual savings, and more frequent rides mean even bigger benefits. 

Here’s what the savings can look like: 

Even with a $1 fare, MyBlue™ can save you between $500 and $3,100 a year, depending on how often you ride, compared to driving your own car. 

Try it out for yourself! 

Looking for more reasons to ride the Blue Bus? Here are some of our favorites: 

1. Fewer Tank Fills 

Even just one or two Blue Bus trips a week means less gas station trips each month. With fluctuating gas prices, skipping a fill-up could save you $30 – $70 at a time. 

1. Lower maintenance Costs 

Every mile avoided means less frequent oil changes, tire replacements and brake maintenance. For example, using your car less can extend the life of a set of tires by months or even years, saving you $400 – $800 when you don’t have to replace them as frequently. 

1. Extended Vehicle Life 

Driving less can delay the need for costly maintenance and repairs or a new car entirely. Cutting 5,000 miles a year can add an extra year or more to your car’s lifespan, potentially saving you thousands of dollars. 

1. Potential Insurance Savings 

Some auto insurers offer lower rates for low-mileage drivers. If riding the Blue Bus drops you into a lower mileage bracket, you might get a discount on your monthly premium. 

1. Parking Fee Avoidance 

If you work or shop in areas with paid parking, taking the bus can save several dollars per trip. 

We’ve all been there. Stuck behind an endless line of vehicles with nothing to do about it. It’s frustrating, time-consuming and not the best way to start and end your day.  

When you ride the Blue Bus, you’re not only taking away the stress and frustration of everyday traffic, you’re also contributing to the solution. Every Blue Bus or MyBlue™ trip takes at least one car off the road. And when a bus is carrying 10 riders, that’s 10 fewer vehicles adding to the jam. Over the course of a day, those numbers multiply, creating smoother commutes, less stop-and-go and safer roads for all. 

Making room on the road isn’t the only thing you’re contributing to when you use public transit. Did you know that Blue Bus passengers aid in the reduction of approximately 2,291 tons of carbon emissions or 4.6 million lbs. annually? That’s right! Every time you ride the Blue Bus, you’re making a real, measurable impact.  

Your choice to use public transit not only benefits the environment and the community, it also supports our ongoing commitment to sustainability. The Blue Bus is dedicated to being an environmentally conscious, sustainable partner that enhances the quality of life of north central New Mexico communities and beyond. Here are a few ways we’re doing our part: 

• Solar lighting for existing and new bus shelters 

• General waste reduction utilizing recycling bins 

• Water harvesting through rain barrels 

• Plans to transition to a zero-emission fleet 

• Electric vehicle charging stations at our transit facilities in Taos and Española 

View our full sustainability plan Here. 

Riding the Blue Bus or using MyBlue™ isn’t just saving you money, it’s also a simple way to add activity to your day. Every trip starts and ends with a bit of walking or biking to your nearest stop or final destination, helping you fit in exercise without extra effort. 

All Blue Bus and MyBlue™ vehicles come equipped with bike racks, making it easy to bring your bike along for the ride. And with multiple routes like our 190 Chama and 255 Mountain Trail, you can get to popular hiking and biking trails, supporting your hobbies, fitness goals and a more active lifestyle. 

Find your route Here. 

Riding the Blue Bus isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about getting there safely and stress-free. Every time you leave your car at home and hop on the bus or a MyBlue™ van, you reduce your risk of accidents, traffic violations and the day-to-day stress of driving. 

Our drivers are highly trained professionals who prioritize safety above all else. They follow traffic laws, maintain safe speeds and are constantly aware of their surroundings to protect riders, pedestrians and other drivers. Their focus on careful, responsible driving means you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip. 

Plus, choosing the Blue Bus contributes to safer roads for everyone. Fewer cars on the road means fewer opportunities for collisions, making your community a safer place for neighbors, students and commuters.