Originally posted by Rhode Island Current: 13 things to know about McKee’s proposed $13.7B FY 2025 budget, 1/18/24

6. RIPTA 

McKee recommended reallocating $10 million of unspent pandemic aid to RIPTA to help close its $18.1 million deficit — on the condition RIPTA conducts an efficiency study into its operations. That’s just about 8.1% of the $110 million transit advocates requested to address the agency’s budget shortfalls and improve service.

Between 2008 and 2023, Daniels said ridership declined 47.6% while buses in service increased by 18%. Daniels added that the study should help RIPTA administrators identify ways to close the remaining $8.1 million budget gap. He declined to answer when asked by reporters about possible service cuts or staffing shortages that might result if the budget hole cannot be filled.