In the middle of July, there were hearings in Providence, Warwick, Barrington, Newport and Narragansett as residents expressed their concerns of RIPTA increasing fares, service cuts and how it will affect their lives.
The hearing sought information on RIPTA’s plan to close the $3.7 million deficit for FY 2011, higher fare that started on September 1st, from $1.75 to $2.
FY 2011 is the beginning of the downward spiral. RIPTA is preparing a five-year projection of slowly decreasing services.
Many Rhode Islanders who attended the meeting, expressed their concerns. “What’s going to happen if they take my route away? I won’t be able to get to work. Then how am I going to pay my rent and bills? What am I going to do then?” stated one concerned citizen. “The fare increase is one thing. But to take some of the routes away is another. They will leave people out in the dark.”
Summary of Proposed Changes:
• First year: Seven lower performing routes eliminated.
• Second year: System shut-down at 9:00pm, Route segment and headway reductions.
• Third year: 10 weekend routes and all Park n’ Ride services eliminated.
• Fourth year: All holiday service and 10 routes eliminated.
• Fifth year: Frequency reductions on 17 urban routes.
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