RIPTA breaks out of debt ahead of upcoming fare hikes

May 17, 2016 6:06 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – RIPTA is finally breaking even on its budget, set to finish the budget year with a roughly $80,000 surplus, after starting the fiscal year $5.6 million short, according to a spokesperson.

Now, all eyes are on upcoming fare hikes for the elderly and disabled, as the transit authority looks to stay out of debt. They could previously ride for free through a low-income program.

"I think people’s quality of life is really going to suffer," explained Amy Glidden, board member of the RIPTA Riders’ Alliance. The Alliance is hoping to get rid of the 50-cent fares, which would affect roughly 25 percent of riders.

Meanwhile, the State House is considering bills to over-ride this new charge, which takes effect July 1. Rep. Scott Slater (D-Providence) is the lead sponsor of the House bill: "Even though it seems like a small amount, for people on fixed incomes and low income folks, it’s an onerous bill for them to have to foot everyday."

The new fee is estimated to bring $1.7 million next fiscal year, plus another $2.3 million in Medicaid reimbursements, according to RIPTA Spokesperson Barbara Polichetti.

Money the often cash-strapped company won’t pass up. "It would just be significant and we don’t feel that we could sustain that,” she explained. “It would be damaging to the Authority."

As a compromise, Slater says lawmakers could work to get RIPTA more money out of the State budget. This fiscal year, the Transit Authority got $2 million.

Meanwhile, advocates aren’t giving up the fight, no matter what happens. "We’re going to continue to lobby [lawmakers] to cover this important program," said Glidden.

The House and Senate are considering bills to eliminate these proposed fees. Senate President Paiva Weed has already said she considers this a top priority.