RIPTA has been forced into drastic service cuts by inadequate state funding, and the cuts risk going into effect April 6.  Unless riders and transit advocates speak up vocally and repeatedly, our state’s public transit system will become a shadow of what it was.  We encourage people to speak:
— At the service cut hearings around the state Wed Feb 14-Feb 21
— At the RIPTA board meeting Thu Feb 22
— And especially to keep contacting state leaders and other politicians to provide the transit funding that’s needed to solve the problem. 

The planned service cuts would reduce service on nearly half of RIPTA’s bus routes.  Lots of bus routes would be completely eliminated (10X,12X,23,59X,61X,68,73,76,80,88,QX), quite a few would lose all weekend service (6,13,18,29,30,58,64,75) or all Sunday service (4,16,69,71), and six more would see other service reductions (9X,14,21,65X,87,95X). 

These service cuts aren’t RIPTA’s fault and they can’t be blamed on a driver shortage either.  The reason these service cuts are happening is because state leaders haven’t funded RIPTA enough.  We need to put pressure on state leaders to fight this.  Please show up and speak out!

HEARINGS with public comment around the state — show up and speak out!
BARRINGTON public library, Mon Feb 12 (12:30-2 & 5:30-7pm)
PROVIDENCE Foundation, 30 Exchange Terrace, Wed Feb 14 (12:30-2 & 5:30-7pm)
NEWPORT CCRI Auditorium, Thu Feb 15 (12:30-2 & 5:30-7pm)
KINGSTON URI Memorial Union, Room 360, Mon Feb 19 (12:30-2 & 5:30-7pm)
PAWTUCKET Roosevelt & Main visitor center, Tue Feb 20 (5:30-7pm)
WEST WARWICK public library, Wed Feb 21 (12:30-2 & 5:30-7pm)
https://www.ripta.com/ripta-to-hold-statewide-public-hearings-on-proposed-service-changes/

RIPTA board vote on service cuts: Thu Feb 22 1:30pm, 269 Melrose St Providence — show up and speak out!

Contact politicians:
   – Governor Dan McKee: (401) 222-2080
   – House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi: (401) 222-2447, rep-shekarchi@rilegislature.gov
   – Senate President Dominick Ruggerio: (401) 222-6655, sen-ruggerio@rilegislature.gov
   – Find your state senator and representative and their contact info:
   http://vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/PollingPlaces?ActiveFlag=3

… please forward & share …