Dial-a-ride transit service, neighborhood circulator buses, direct-express routes for commuters, bus connections to Rail Runner Express train stations and another high-capacity bus route, possibly on San Mateo Boulevard are among the options being explored under a regional transit plan being considered by Rio Metro.

Rio Metro, the transit district that covers Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia counties, will hold more meetings this evening to let the public weigh in on the plan. Meetings have been held on the plan since October.

The draft includes several sales tax scenarios, one of which voters could eventually be asked to approve.

"We're providing service options as well as funding options for the regional and local connections," said Bruce Rizzieri, regional transit manager for Rio Metro.

By 2025, the three-county area is projected to have a population of 1 million.

"All that new growth - 50 percent of the population will be living outside Bernalillo County, but 80 percent of the new jobs will be in Bernalillo County," Rizzieri said. "So we've got more people on the roads driving probably farther distances to get to work."

The plan also factors in the expected needs of an aging populace. It's projected about 26 percent of the state's population will be 65 and older by 2030, he said. Among the expanded transit service options: Bernalillo County Dial-a-ride type service for Carnuel, Cedar Crest, Chilili, San Antonio and Tijeras. Eight new direct commuter express routes. Five new park-and-ride facilities. A new high-capacity transit bus route. Sandoval County New dial-a-ride service for Algodones, Bernalillo, Corrales, Placitas and Rio Rancho. And four existing routes would operate as dial-a-ride during off-peak hours. Four new neighborhood circulator routes. Four new direct commuter express routes. Five new park-and-ride facilities. Valencia County Dial-a-ride service for Adelino, Belen, Bosque Farms, El Cerro, Jarales, Los Chavez, Los Lunas, Meadow Lake, Rio Communities, Tomé and Veguita. Two new direct commuter express routes. Service to Rancho Cielo as it develops. Four new park-and-ride facilities. "The other thing we're proposing is what we call a transit and roadway enhancement fund," Rizzieri said.