SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Lawmakers are asking for studies to determine whether it's feasible to offer commuter rail service to additional communities in New Mexico.

The House approved non-binding measures Thursday requesting the Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of extending commuter rail from Santa Fe to Taos and from Santa Fe to Las Vegas and Raton.

Also endorsed was a non-binding measure for a feasibility study of establishing commuter rail service between El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, the second largest city in the state.

The proposal initially had called for a study of extending service by the Rail Runner commuter train to Las Cruces, but the measure later was revised. The studies won't be started until local governments or private interests provided money to pay for all or most of the costs.

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