ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - City officials in New Mexico have confirmed no serious injuries were reported after three of Albuquerque’s new buses were involved in vehicle collisions within six days of launch.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Thursday that the buses are part of the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project that launched last Friday.
Officials say all three crashes occurred when drivers were attempting left turns.
City officials say a driver most recently merged into the ART bus lane Thursday thinking it was a left turn lane before the car crashed into the bus and deployed its air bag.
Officials say there are 20 ART buses and two are out of service for repairs and a third is scratched up but able to continue operations.
Officials did not say how much repairs would cost, but mentioned they need 16 buses to operate on the route.
Authorities say officers are issuing warnings to drivers who cross bus lanes and have plans to write tickets starting in January.
Authorities say drivers can be fined up to $80 for parking in the lanes and $160 for crossing or making illegal left turns across the lanes.
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