It appears proposed cuts to half of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s (RIPTA) bus routes may come two months later than the agency first announced.

The agency announced Thursday morning it would postpone service cuts, which would have taken effect April 6, in order to evaluate if a recent pay bump for bus drivers can address the shortage RIPTA officials initially cited as the cuts’ impetus.

Last month, RIPTA’s board of directors unanimously approved a 16.7% starting pay bump for drivers, raising wages from $21.71 an hour to $25.33 an hour. 

RIPTA also acknowledged transit riders and advocates’ resistance to possible service reductions.

“We have listened to the concerns of our riders and the community,” RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian said in a statement Thursday. “The decision to postpone service cuts reflects our commitment to providing reliable and accessible public transit services.” 

“We will use this time to make informed decisions as we continue to build our workforce to meet the needs of our passengers,” he continued.

Tracking canceled trips

RIPTA in its announcement said the postponement of service changes could result in more canceled trips as the agency continues to onboard new drivers.

Riders are encouraged to check the Transit App to see if a trip has been canceled. Such trips will be indicated with a gray line over the scheduled trip.

RIPTA typically makes three service changes per year — the April cuts would have been a fourth. Now, the agency said it will revise the changes “to mitigate the impact on passengers.” Final plans will be presented at the RIPTA board of directors meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 28.

If approved, changes would take effect June 15.

RI Transit Riders Co-Chair Patricia Raub said she will keep a close eye on what’s presented later in the month.

“There are always seasonal adjustments, but we really don’t want to see routes reduced or shut down completely,” she said.

Funding still needed

Transit advocates said they were cautiously optimistic about RIPTA’s announcement.

“Giving time to hire more drivers at this higher rate is very welcome news, but we still need to fund that higher rate and sustain it,” Providence Streets Coalition organizer Liza Burkin said in an interview.

Burkin said while RIPTA was able to increase wages for drivers, there’s no long-term funding to keep those rates — especially as the agency faces a $18.1 million budget shortfall at the start of the next fiscal year in July. 

Gov. Dan McKee’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget only recommends giving RIPTA $10 million in unspent COVID relief funds to address the looming fiscal cliff.

Burkin said there is legislation that could fill the gap and more: a House resolution sponsored by Rep. Karen Alzate, a Pawtucket Democrat.

Alzate’s resolution allocates $78 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget. That includes $24 million toward increasing bus operators’ wages and benefits and $46 million, granted annually, for the state’s Transit Master Plan (TMP). The TMP calls for shifting to cleaner transportation alternatives like frequent buses and light rail.

“This is a business that still has to be run and these drivers need to be paid,” Alzate said in an interview. “We have to be a little more competitive.”

No companion legislation was filed in the Rhode Island Senate. 

Alzate said she opposed route cuts, noting that five in Pawtucket would have been affected by RIPTA’s plan. But she also said the agency needs to evaluate its efficiency.

“If I’m going from Pawtucket to the Hospital, why do I have to stop at Kennedy Plaza and wait for another bus to get there?” she said. “It shouldn’t take me hours to get somewhere in a state so small.”

Alzate’s resolution was introduced on Feb. 28 and was referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration. As of Thursday, it has not been scheduled for a hearing.

“Until we get that passed, I’m not going to be happy,” Raub said.