ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque city councilor Joaquín Baca gave an earful Monday night after the city announced it would not run the luminaria bus tour this year. “I mean, what’s next? Are we going to take away the Christmas parade and not call Councilor Rogers? Are we going to stop the Sunday cruise and not talk to Councilor Pena? Are we going to take away buses for the Balloon Fiesta and not talk call Councilor Bassan?” said Councilor Baca.
ABQ RIDE will no longer offer annual luminaria tour
The city said the 2025 tour did not bring in enough revenue to offset its costs, but during Monday night’s Albuquerque City Council meeting, Councilor Baca pushed back, saying the decision was poorly planned.
ABQ Ride said the suspension will also give employees a chance to stay home with their families on Christmas Eve. Councilor Baca pushed back on that idea. “I grew up on the luminaria tour; I rode those buses every Christmas because my dad drove the tour. He complained sometimes, but mostly he was happy because of the pay. We did not grow up wealthy. This is how my parents paid for Christmas. This is why we had presents under the tree because of the luminaria tour,” said Councilor Baca.
The city said it will work with the neighborhood to keep the luminaria tradition going without the bus tours. But with no signage or traffic control, Councilor Baca raised concerns about safety…