New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
In March 2025, Albuquerque launched a microtransit pilot deploying electric vans to connect food desert neighborhoods like South Valley to grocery stores, addressing a longstanding planning challenge. Funded by a $2 million USDOT grant, the program now serves around 1,500 residents weekly. Riders use a city-backed app to hail real-time rides, cutting travel times by 30 percent for low-income families, according to city data.
Unlike fixed-route buses, these agile vans can navigate narrow streets and reach underserved areas faster, making the program a replicable model for equitable transit. Planners cite the initiative as a direct intervention in zoning-induced food deserts, where 23 percent of Bernalillo County residents lack grocery access (USDA, 2025). However, questions remain about the program’s scalability due to maintenance costs.
The story offers a timely example of how small cities can use mobility innovation to promote food justice and reimagine last-mile transit.
FULL STORY: Albuquerque Journal – Pilot Coverage
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