The name "ABQ RIDE" and a new logo depicting the Alvarado Transportation Center clock tower were chosen in a contest, replacing the previous name SunTran in September 2004.

City leader Clyde Tingley was a strong opponent of the streetcar system and led the effort to have it replaced with buses.

[4] The streetcar stopped running at midnight on December 31, 1927, and the bus company began operation the next morning.

The official handover took place on February 1, 1965, with the city retaining all existing routes and equipment and most of the personnel.

In January 2022, ABQ RIDE launched a pilot program, eliminating fares on all of the agency's transit services for the year.

Commuter routes only have a few run times during weekdays, usually towards Downtown Albuquerque or Kirtland AFB during the mornings and away from during the evenings.

On October 4, 2010, the Federal Transit Administration approved a $3 million grant request from ABQ RIDE to provide money for bus replacement.

On February 7, 2014, ABQ RIDE placed an order for 21 New Flyer Xcelsior XN40 CNG Buses, with deliveries starting in the middle of March.

In addition, the fleet comprises numerous smaller vehicles like the SunVan paratransit vans, and formerly, the Old Town trolley.

In November 2011, ABQ RIDE announced plans for true bus rapid transit service along Central Avenue.

On March 24, 2014, ABQ RIDE demonstrated a New Flyer XN60, which was built for RTC in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was en route for delivery.

This type of bus is one of the designs being explored for BRT service, and is the longer 60 foot version of the current XN40 buses being delivered to ABQ RIDE.

In October 2014, ABQ Ride also revealed plans for a transit-oriented development (TOD) on the site of the Uptown Transit Center.

[31] The land for the transit center was originally purchased with a grant from the FTA with the intent of someday building a TOD on the site.

ABQ Ride intends, with FTA approval, to enter into a partnership with a private developer for the actual construction and operation of the building.