News Summary
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has unveiled a proposal to cut service on 58 of its 67 routes to overcome a $10 million budget deficit. These changes may affect over 40,000 daily riders, including students and seniors, as public hearings are set to begin on July 28. If approved, the cuts could reshape transit accessibility in Providence, leading to significant adjustments in public commuting options across the region.
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has proposed major service cuts affecting 58 of its 67 routes in an effort to alleviate a projected $10 million budget deficit. The proposed changes, which could have serious implications for tens of thousands of riders, are set to be discussed in a series of public hearings beginning on July 28, prior to a potential board decision on August 7.
The proposed cuts could impact over 40,000 daily riders, including students, night workers, medical staff, and seniors, who rely on public transit for necessary travel. The adjustments could lead to difficulty for students getting to classes, seniors accessing grocery stores, and employees commuting for night shifts.
Under the current proposal, RIPTA plans to eliminate 11 routes entirely, reduce trip frequency on 30 routes, and end weekend service on nine routes. Notable cuts include the Block Island Ferry connections and service to popular destinations, such as the Roger Williams Park Zoo. Additionally, RIPTA’s highest performing route, the R-Line, will see its weekend service frequency cut from every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night to every 20 minutes.
Evidently, the budgetary constraints that have led to these cuts have raised alarms among community advocates. The Save RIPTA Coalition is warning that these service reductions may result in widespread job losses and further diminish accessibility for vulnerable populations. While earlier projections indicated possible layoffs of between 90 to 100 employees, RIPTA’s CEO has since stated that no specific numbers are currently available.
Specific routes facing cuts include, but are not limited to:
- Route 4 (Pawtuxet Village/Warwick Neck)
- Route 6 (Prairie/Roger Williams Park Zoo)
- Route 13 (Coventry/Arctic/CCRI)
- Route 14 (West Bay)
- Route 29 (CCRI Warwick/Conimicut)
- Route 55 (Admiral/Providence College)
- Route 71 (Broad St./Pawtucket Ave)
- Flex 203 (URI/Narragansett/S. Kingstown)
- Flex 231 (South Aquidneck)
- Route 18 (Providence’s Union Avenue)
- Route 58 (Mineral Spring/North Providence)
- Route 64 (Newport/URI Kingston)
Additionally, five routes will lose Sunday service altogether, affecting even more riders in the community.
As a response to the findings of an independent efficiency study, RIPTA is attempting to reallocate resources to better serve low-income areas while trimming back services in rural regions where ridership has diminished. However, this has not mitigated concerns regarding access to essential services and daily needs. The study also posited a potential fare increase, which RIPTA’s CEO remarked would be considered following further evaluation.
RIPTA has stressed the necessity of the cuts as a means of addressing immediate financial shortfalls. The agency will conduct public hearings and plans to review community feedback before making final decisions. If the board approves the recommended service reductions, the changes will take effect on September 13, causing a shift in how residents navigate the public transportation system.
It is noteworthy that some routes will remain unaffected by these proposed cuts, including routes Qx, 40, 67, 10x, 24L, and select Flex services. Furthermore, the South County Express Beach Bus routes are also exempt from the planned reductions.
As the public hearings commence, the community’s voice and concerns will be an essential factor in the final determination of RIPTA’s services moving forward.
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Additional Resources
- Rhode Island Current
- Wikipedia: Public Transport
- Providence Journal
- Google Search: Rhode Island Public Transit
- News Radio
- Google Scholar: RIPTA service cuts
- The Westerly Sun
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Transit
- Providence Business News
- Google News: RIPTA budget deficit
