ABQ Ride Collects $44,000 from Bus Advertising Contract

Aug. 25, 2015

ABQ Ride’s public-private partnership with Lamar Transit continues to payoff yet again for Albuquerque taxpayers.  After receiving over $200,000 since 2012 over its minimum annual guarantee in advertising revenue from Lamar, ABQ Ride is receiving another $44,000 from the company this year. 

ABQ Ride has a contract with Lamar, a national advertising company, to sell advertising on city buses and most bus shelters.  The contract stipulates Lamar pay ABQ Ride a percentage of advertising revenue, with a minimum annual guarantee. This revenue helps reduce the funding ABQ Ride receives from the city’s General Fund. 

“Money from this agreement helps offset some of ABQ Ride’s costs, which benefits taxpayers,” said Mayor Richard J. Berry. “We anticipate even more benefits from this partnership in the years to come.”

Mayor Berry and ABQ Ride Director Bruce Rizzieri received the check for $44,109.09 from Neal Gatherum, vice president and general manager of Lamar Transit Advertising’s Mountain West Division at a news conference at City Hall. 

“Lamar has been a proud partner of ABQ Ride and the city of Albuquerque since 2007,” Gatherum said. “During this time we have helped hundreds of local businesses promote their products and services throughout the community via the transit system while creating a direct revenue stream for the city of Albuquerque.”

“ABQ Ride’s revenue-sharing agreement with Lamar continues to be a win-win situation for Albuquerque.” Rizzieri said.