Commuter train makes unscheduled stop for fast food

Posted at: 03/24/2010 10:08 PM | Updated at: 03/25/2010 7:30 AM
By: Joe Vigil, Eyewitness News 4; Taryn Bianchin, KOB.com

An unscheduled stop taken by a Rail Runner crew has raised eyebrows over their decision to stop at a fast food restaurant to pick up some food. 

Rail Runner officials say the food run happened Monday at a Blake's Lotaburger off St. Michael's Drive in central Santa Fe.

Jim Scarantino runs the website NewMexicoWatchDog.org. He says a tip came in on his site from an anonymous state employee who took pictures of the crew walking back to the train with their food.

Scarantino says the state employee told him the very same thing happened last May.

"The Rail Runner pulled over, stopped, people got out and went to the Lotaburger at the same time backing up traffic on St. Michael's," recalls Scarantino.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Rail Runner officials said no passengers were on the train. The crew had just dropped off passengers and was on its way to take a break.

Officials also say the unscheduled stop didn't tie up rail or car traffic

But they say they have disciplined three crew members because it's against policy to stop at a non-designated location.

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