General Assembly approves RIPTA reorganization legislation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island General Assembly approved legislation to help align the state’s transit goals for the future on Tuesday.

The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Rep. Anthony DeSimone, states that the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation shall serve as the Chairperson of the Board of RIPTA.

Officials said this is an amendment of an earlier proposal which would have placed much of RIPTA’s operations under the RIDOT.

“While I believe that RIDOT should oversee all transportation matters in our state, including public transit, this is an important step toward alignment of all our transportation goals, effective procurement and efficient use of federal funds, and moving our public transportation agency forward,” said Ruggerio.

DeSimone said the bill provides transparency for RIPTA and its riders.

“As we continue to examine the future of transportation in the state, it is important that all of our state departments have clear lines of communication and collaboration,” DeSimone said. “This bill will provide that clarity within RIPTA and will serve the customers of RIPTA and the residents of the state well into the future.”

ABC 6 News obtained the following statement from RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian on Wednesday:

“Thanks to RIPTA’s dedicated team, we’re continuously modernizing the agency to meet the needs of the state – beginning to electrify our fleet, bus routes to major employment hubs, like Quonset and Newport, improving our finances, and implementing the Transit Master Plan which is critical to meeting the state’s climate goals. My goal has been and will always be to work in collaboration with all individuals that sit on our Board of Directors, especially now. Moving transit forward is our top priority.”

The legislation now heads to the governor’s office for consideration.