RIPTA to hold statewide public hearings about service changes starting Monday
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — RIPTA will host public hearings on proposed service changes to all five Rhode Island counties in February.
The hearings will take place February 12-15, 19 and 21 as RIPTA announced there will be reductions in service due to a driver shortage.
RIPTA states that despite extensive recruitment efforts they have been unable to replace retiring drivers at a pace needed to maintain current levels of service.
RIPTA will in turn change its schedules to a level of service it is able to consistently run.
33 regular bus routes will be affected by the proposed changes, which include a decrease of service frequency and outright elimination of some routes.
There will be an increase in service frequency in higher performing routes.
“Our goal is to ensure we can meet 100% of our scheduled service 100% of the time. In order to do that, as painful as it is, we must make prudent changes, particularly given our workforce challenges,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA CEO.
“In the meantime, we are actively working with our union to create a new starting wage for drivers that should address our recruiting challenges and help RIPTA better execute its mission.”
The proposed changes are as follows:
Increase in Trip Frequency or Number of Trips
Route 51 (Charles St./Twin River/CCRI)
Route 54 (Lincoln/Woonsocket)
Route 72 (Weeden/Central Falls)
Route 92 (East Side/Federal Hill/RI College)
Trip Time Changes for Better Service Reliability
Route 14 (West Bay)
Route 16 (Bald Hill /New England Tech)
Route 21 (Reservoir/Malls/ CCRI)
Route 58 (Mineral Spring/North Providence)
Route 72 (Weeden/Central Falls)
Route 92 (East Side/Federal Hill/RI College)
Regular Route Eliminations
Route QX (Quonset Express)
Route 10x (North Scituate Park-n-Ride)
Route 12x (Arctic/117 Express Park-n-Ride)
Route 23 (Arctic/Crompton/Centre of NE)
Route 59x (North Smithfield/Lincoln Mall)
Route 61x (Tiverton/East Bay Park-n-Ride)
Route 68 (CCRI Newport/Memorial Blvd./First Beach)
Route 73 (Mineral Spring/Twin River/CCRI)
Route 76 (Central Ave.)
Route 80 (Armistice Blvd.)
Route 88 (Simmons Village Service)
Route Segment Eliminations Eliminated Segment
Route 6 (Prairie Ave./CCRI/RW Zoo) This route will no longer serve Colony House
Route 14 (West Bay) North Kingstown to Narragansett (Saturday only)
Route 16 (Bald Hill /New England Tech) New England Tech to Quonset
Route 58 (Mineral Spring/North Providence) Mineral Spring to Rte. 146 (one trip affected)
Elimination of Saturday Service
Route 18 (Union Ave.)
Route 58 (Mineral Spring/North Providence)
Route 64 (Newport/URI/Kingston Station)
Elimination of Sunday Service
Route 4 (Warwick Ave./West Shore)
Route 16 (Bald Hill /New England Tech)
Route 71 (Broad St./Central Falls)
Route 69 (URI/Galilee)
Elimination of All Weekend Service
Route 6 (Prairie Ave./CCRI/RW Zoo)
Route 13 (Coventry/Arctic/CCRI)
Route 29 (CCRI Warwick/Conimicut)
Route 30 (Arlington/Oaklawn)
Route 75 (Dexter/Lincoln Mall)
Reduction in Trip Frequency or Number of Trips
Route 6 (Prairie Ave./CCRI/RW Zoo)
Route 9x (Pascoag Express)
Route 16 (Bald Hill /New England Tech)
Route 18 (Union Ave.)
Route 21 (Reservoir/Malls/CCRI)
Route 65x (Wakefield Express)
Route 87 (Fairmount/Walnut Hill)
Route 95x (Westerly Express)
Updated Schedule for Public Hearings
The public hearing schedule is as follows:
Monday, February 12, 2024
Barrington Public Library
281 County Road, Barrington
Times: 12:30 – 2 p.m. & 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Pawtucket Public Library
13 Summer Street, Pawtucket
Times: 12:30 – 2 p.m. & 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Providence Foundation
30 Exchange Terrace, Providence
Times: 12:30 – 2 p.m. & 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Newport CCRI Auditorium
One John H. Chafee Blvd., Newport
Times: 12:30 – 2 p.m. & 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Monday, February 19, 2024
URI Memorial Union, Room 360
50 Lower College Road, Kingston
Times: 12:30 – 2 p.m. & 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
West Warwick Public Library
1043 Main Street, West Warwick
Times: 12:30 – 2 p.m. & 5:30 – 7 p.m.
