The Governor’s budget, presented last week, provides only half of the bare minimum needed to cover RIPTA’s projected deficit for next year.  Furthermore, McKee is providing no additional funding to raise bus drivers’ wages and avoid the “driver cliff”–drivers retiring or quitting to get bus driving jobs with better pay elsewhere.

RIPTA already reduced many bus lines throughout the state a year and a half ago when the driver shortage began.  Without a pay raise, the driver shortage is about to get much worse.  The frequency of buses on more routes will be reduced—and some lines will be eliminated altogether.  Furthermore, in order to balance the books and cover the deficit, RIPTA will have to downsize even more.

According to one projection RIPTA made some months ago, Park and Ride routes will be cut, as will all rural service to many destinations.  Frequency will be reduced on city lines, including the popular Route 20 to TF Green airport and the key Route 92 service for the East Side. Frequency will also be reduced to East Bay buses. Furthermore, frequency of service to Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island and Providence College will be reduced. All Sunday and Holiday trips will be eliminated. And all special Providence Public School trips will be eliminated, causing massive overcrowding on school lines.

We riders need to speak out!  RIPTA is not the culprit here.  It’s the short-sighted state leaders.  We will need to speak out at public hearings and at General Assembly committee meetings.  We’ll let you know when they are scheduled so you can be there in person or send written testimony.

We can start by speaking out at tomorrow’s RIPTA board meeting.  The media will be there.  Let the board and the media know how the Governor’s stingy budget will personally impact you!

The board meeting is at 1:30 pm tomorrow in the RIPTA boardroom, at 269 Melrose Street (the corner of Melrose and Longfellow).  You can take the #20 bus (Elmwood Avenue).  Get off just past the RIPTA administration building and garage, and walk down Longfellow to the end.

Public comment is the first item on the agenda, so if you can’t stay for the whole meeting, you can give your testimony (3 minutes max) and then leave.

We hope to see you tomorrow!!  We need everyone to fight these draconian cuts!