RIPTA Faces $17.6 Million Budget Deficit with Proposed Cuts

News Summary

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is confronting a $17.6 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year and has proposed service cuts impacting 58 bus routes to help reduce this shortfall by an additional $10 million. Public hearings are set to gather feedback before final decisions are made in August, as the community voices concerns over potential fare increases and reduced services linked to transit reliance.

Providence, Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is facing a significant challenge as it deals with a $17.6 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. To address this financial shortfall, the agency has proposed a series of service cuts aimed at reducing the deficit by an additional $10 million. These proposed changes could have a substantial impact on public transit across the state.

The service reductions would affect 58 bus routes statewide, including major lines such as routes 1, 3, 4, 6, and many others. Among the cuts are plans to eliminate 11 regular and flex routes, six Park & Ride routes, and to reduce weekend services on numerous lines. Specifically, the R-Line will see less frequent service on weekends, while Route 1, which connects to T.F. Green Airport, will experience a significant reduction in its service offerings.

To gather public input, RIPTA will hold 12 public hearings between July 28 and August 6. The initial meeting occurred at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Warwick campus, where attendees voiced their concerns about reliance on public transportation. It is anticipated that feedback gathered from these sessions will play a role in shaping the final decisions made by the RIPTA Board of Directors in their upcoming vote in August.

RIPTA’s CEO Chris Durand acknowledged the potential consequences of the proposed cuts and indicated that a fare increase is also being considered as part of the agency’s efforts to resolve the budget deficit. Despite receiving $15 million from the state’s General Assembly, an anticipated $18 million shortfall has prompted the need for these drastic measures. The agency has managed to reduce the initial deficit through federal reimbursements, savings on fuel, and a revision of gas tax estimates.

The financial challenges RIPTA is currently facing have been exacerbated by a substantial decline in ridership linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. This drop in riders has contributed to an overall increase in the agency’s deficits. The proposed service changes, if implemented, could take effect on September 13.

Patrick Crowley, the president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, criticized the proposed cuts, describing them as a “tax increase on working class Rhode Islanders.” This sentiment highlights a growing concern among community members regarding the social and economic implications of reduced public transit services.

In light of the proposed cuts, RIPTA is encouraging the public to provide feedback. Comments regarding the service changes can be submitted through mail, email, or phone until August 6. Additionally, translation and interpreter services are available upon request with a 72-hour notice, emphasizing RIPTA’s commitment to inclusivity in public consultation processes.

In summary, the RIPTA’s proposed service cuts come as the agency grapples with a multi-million-dollar budget deficit and aim to address a critical financial situation while balancing community transit needs. The outcome of this situation will depend on public response and subsequent decisions by the RIPTA Board of Directors.

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Additional Resources

• Providence Journal: RIPTA Proposes Ending 11 Routes
• WPRI: Community Urges RIPTA to Avoid Service Cuts
• NewportRI: RIPTA Budget Cuts Concerns
• ABC6: RIPTA Public Hearings on Service Cuts
• Planetizen: RIPTA Unveils Massive Cuts
• Wikipedia: Public Transport
• Google Search: RIPTA
• Google Scholar: Public Transportation Funding
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Transportation
• Google News: RIPTA Service Cuts