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2022 Providence Mayoral Candidate Positions on Transit

The following are summarized from conversations with members of the Steering Committee of the Rhode Island Transit Riders

GONZALO CUERVO’S TRANSIT POLICIES

  • Transit experience: Has ridden bus as regular rider in the past, also bikes, also drives.

  • General policies for PVD: Wants the city to move in a more transit oriented direction, driven by residents.

  • Support for Great Streets: In favor of connecting urban trails and continuing the Great Streets project.

  • Snow removal plans: Will increase funding for snow removal/road sweeping.

  • Kennedy Plaza: Commits to keeping Kennedy Plaza as a hub until Dorrance is built.  City needs to Increase number of non-police roles such as Downtown Improvement District folks to create safety in the greater Kennedy Plaza area.

  • Position on Central Hub:  Riders need to be included in implementation of a new hub.  If the Dorrance Street hub doesn’t work for riders, it shouldn’t be implemented.

  • Other:  Would improve transit for Providence residents by lobbying for free RIPTA passes for Providence residents.

 

NIRVA LAFORTUNE’S TRANSIT POLICIES

  • Transit experience: Often rides the bus. Also runs and bikes.

  • General policies for PVD:  Priority is creating a multi-modal city. Have a mayor’s office position that focuses on transit. Set a goal of 20% increased ridership in four years.

  • Support for Great Streets:  In favor of program, already involved with North Main project

  • Snow removal plans:  City needs to come up with a comprehensive plan to address snow removal.  Will need to collaborate with RIDOT and landlords to address the issue.

  • Kennedy Plaza:  Kennedy Plaza building could become a welcome center. Social services could be offered at Kennedy Plaza. Make Kennedy Plaza more welcoming with lighting, art, attract youth to the area. Need to address Kennedy Plaza issues like homelessness, addiction.

  • Position on Central Bus Hub: Thinks the proposed Dorrance hub could be good, but riders should approve it. Hub should stay in Kennedy Plaza hub until the Dorrance hub is completed.

 

BRETT SMILEY’S TRANSIT POLICIES

  • Transit experience: Drives to work, has used transit in other cities.

  • General policies for PVD: Willing to charge city workers for their parking rather than continue to provide free parking. Would support free fares on RIPTA’s Downtown Corridor bus line.  Support for Great Streets: fully supports Great Streets and urban trails initiatives.

  • Snow removal plans: City needs to enforce sidewalk clearing by individual homeowners and landlords.

  • Kennedy Plaza: Need to maintain Kennedy Plaza as central bus hub until the new Dorrance Street hub is completed. Kennedy Plaza needs to meet social service needs.

  • Position on Dorrance Street Bus Hub:  Supports new hub unless the project “goes sideways.” However, wants it to be good for riders and to provide housing. Agrees that riders’ input should be considered.  “Projects where people aren’t heard aren’t worth doing,”

  • City and state interactions: City should lobby on Capitol Hill for more transit funding.  The federal government wants to fund multi-state projects; we should apply for these grants. We need to reset relations between the City and RIDOT so we can collaborate more closely with them. Expand R-Line and other lines that have more frequent trips.  Modify RIPTA’s hub-and-spoke configuration–forcing riders to travel into Kennedy Plaza to transfer to another bus to go to a location that might be closer if there was a bus line that took them straight to their destination without having to go into Providence first. Add employer-driven specialty runs to factories and employment centers that are in the suburbs and difficult for Providence workers to access.