Riding the New Mexico Rail Runner Express also means committing to other forms of transportation when you disembark. Here are some options for continuing your trip. Most connections are free for train riders.

Catch a bus or shuttle: Beginning at 6 a.m., Santa Fe Trails city bus routes 4 and 2 will meet the Rail Runner at the Department of Transportation. Both routes offer connections to the Santa Fe Place mall on the city's south side and the downtown Sheridan Street bus stop, where riders can catch other city bus routes. Route 4 also serves the Railyard. Reach Santa Fe Trails at 955-2001 or www.santafenm.gov.

• A free shuttle service called the Santa Fe Pick-Up from the Santa Fe Railyard also is planned to deliver riders to various downtown locations on the Paseo de Peralta loop, operated by the Santa Fe Parking Division from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• The state will also continue its shuttle service from the Department of Transportation headquarters to certain destinations, including San Mateo/St. Francis, the hospital, ARK/Pollon, the state's West Complex at the corner of Camino Carlos Rey and Cerrillos Road and the Department of Public Safety at 4491Cerrillos Road. For more information, call 866-541-RIDE, or log on to www.nmshtd.state.nm.us.

• Albuquerque city buses serve a variety of destinations within the city including hospitals, colleges and shopping centers, all for free when you show the driver your train ticket stub. The state is also providing free direct shuttles to and from the Albuquerque International Sunport that correspond with the Rail Runner schedule. For more information about city buses, call ABQRide at 505-243-RIDE (243-7433).

• Other destinations offer pickup shuttles from the downtown Albuquerque Alvarado station, including The University of New Mexico, which serves both the school and UNM hospital campuses.

• From the station at U.S. 550 near Bernalillo, the Sandoval Easy Express takes riders to Jemez Valley, Cuba and other destinations along N.M. 4, N.M. 22 and U.S. 550, Monday through Friday. For more information, call 877-660-1110. Several area casinos also will have shuttles meeting trains.

• In Los Lunas, public transportation rides are available on demand between Monday and Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The service boundaries for curb-to-curb rides include most of the surrounding community and a portion of Belen. All rides should be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling 505-352-3595.

On the Web: For more information about connections, log on to www.nmrailrunner.com and click on "Stations."