Transportation

New RIPTA Plan Reduces Route Eliminations, Service Changes

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The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s fleet of buses transports some 16 million riders annually. (RIPTA)

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority revealed a modified service change proposal on Tuesday that takes some route eliminations and reductions off the chopping block.

Routes 10X, 23, 68, and 73, which RIPTA had proposed cutting altogether, are among the lines staying on the schedule.

Type of trip changeOriginal No. of impacted routesModified No. of impacted routes
Regular Service Elimination117
Weekend Service Elimination53
Saturday Service Elimination42
Sunday Service Elimination41
Reduced Frequency97
Segment Elimination46
Reduced Service Span07

In January, RIPTA proposed cutting or reducing service on more than a dozen lines in response to a driver shortage, but then postponed those cuts and changed the service plan after the agency’s board voted to increase operator wages and applications increased.

The agency held several meetings where riders and advocates begged for a stay on the decision, explaining how the cuts could cause people to lose jobs, homes, or health care access.

The amended plan decreased the number of routes eliminated on regular and weekend service while eliminating two additional line segments on the 14 and 68 routes and reducing the span of service for the 3, 4, 13, 16, 23, 71, and 73 routes.

The new plan also adds a new route 70, which will run in areas no longer served by the 76 or 80.

RIPTA is scheduled to hold public hearings on the new proposed changes April 8 at the Providence Foundation, one from noon-2 p.m. and another from 5-7 p.m., and two more hearings April 15 at the West Warwick Public Library, one from noon-2 p.m. and another from 5-7 p.m.

After receiving public comment, RIPTA is expected to present the comments and changes to its board of directors, which could vote in June on whether the changes be implemented.

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  1. Ripta is a life line for many of the quiet important people of our state. Busing versus cars are better for our planet

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