PROVIDENCE — In April, the term for the only person of color on the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s board of directors expired.

About a third of RIPTA riders identify as people of color and a little less than half are women, according to the agency’s 2021 rider survey data. (An updated survey is scheduled for this fall.)

Since Marcy Reyes’ term expired, RIPTA’s board has been composed entirely of white people, with one woman on the board out of eight active members.

Rhode Island law mandates that the governor appoint members to the quasi-public agency’s board of directors, who are then confirmed by the Senate.

The law also states that, “The governor shall achieve a diverse membership in the board.” This includes one regular fixed-route rider and one person with a disability sitting on the board, which the current board achieves.

But Barry Schiller, a longtime transit advocate and former RIPTA board member, said Gov. Dan McKee “has ignored the spirit” of the law.

“Why hasn’t [Reyes] been replaced?” said Schiller, noting that it is “particularly egregious because there are no people of color.”

“I am disappointed that they don’t take it seriously,” he added.

“The office is currently working to find a qualified candidate for the vacancy on the RIPTA board,” a spokesperson for McKee wrote in a statement.

The governor’s office did not respond to questions about the lack of women or people of color on the board.

Former Gov. Gina Raimondo appointed Reyes, who is the founder and CEO of the Financial Literacy Youth Initiative, to the agency board in February 2021, according to Reyes’ LinkedIn. Reyes has been marked absent at RIPTA meeting minutes since her term ended on April 1. She could not be reached for comment on her status on the board or who she would like to see replace her. 

Amy Glidden, co-coordinator of Rhode Island Transit Riders, a transit advocacy group that Schiller also belongs to, said she is also disappointed by the lack of people of color and women on the board.

Glidden said she would like to see the board reflect the demographics of RIPTA ridership. The board makes most decisions for the agency, including approving service additions and cuts, contracts with bidders, and some personnel decisions, she said, and experience and background shape those decisions.

Board members James Leach, who is a regular fixed-route rider, and Heather Schey, who is on the board of Rhode Island National Federation of the Blind chapter, both frequently use their experiences to inform how they speak about and vote on RIPTA matters.

Leach often reports issues he sees with timeliness while riding, and Schey has spoken up several times for the importance of RIde, RIPTA’s service for people with disabilities.

But for identities that are lacking representation on the board, there could be considerations missing from discussions, Glidden said.

For example, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community could have different perspectives on rider safety than men. “They’re more vulnerable to violence, may not feel as safe waiting at the bus stop, you know, by themselves,” Glidden said. “If you have a board made up of mostly men, they may not consider those things.”

As the board looks to find a new, permanent chief executive officer, Glidden said what it prioritizes will have a big impact on RIPTA’s future.

“We’re at a crossroads here. Are we going to choose a CEO that is going to expand service, that will fight for RIPTA to get the money that it truly needs to provide good transportation that will grow the system?” Glidden said. “Or are we going to pick someone with an austerity mindset? Who will just keep it to barely chugging along?”

Rhode Island AFL-CIO treasurer-secretary Patrick Crowley, who is also on RIPTA’s board, said board diversity does matter.  

It is “very important to make sure that we include diversity both in terms of gender and race,” he said. “Those are voices that need to be a part of the conversation at the board.”