RIPTA board to meet about Avedisian resignation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — RIPTA’s board of directors is set to meet Tuesday afternoon to talk about CEO Scott Avedisian’s letter of resignation, the terms of that separation, and what comes next for the department.

Avedisian submitted his letter of resignation to the transit board of directors ahead of its special meeting last Thursday.

The letter included several of the improvements Avedisian made at the department over his six-year tenure.

But the letter ended with an acknowledgment of the distraction he had become for the department, saying in part, “Regrettably, all of these initiatives are now being overshadowed by recent events. I regret that the good work of the employees is being detracted by my actions.”

Avedisian pled not guilty to a hit-and-run at a Warwick McDonald’s back in March and is set to appear back in court later in April.

His resignation means the transit authority needs to find someone else to inherit an $8 million budget deficit, a driver shortage and a host of other issues.

Advocates for the service are hoping the board picks someone who will advance the service, sending us a statement that reads, “…someone who is able to put good transit principles first while practicing open communications with riders and the public. The next CEO needs to maintain service and continue to make progress on the initiatives to improve and expand operations that are currently underway.”

The board will meet Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., where it will decide whether or not it accepts Avedisian’s resignation.

We should find out the terms of separation including any severance package, and where the department will turn next for its leadership.