We understand that Scott Avedisian has stepped down from his position as RIPTA CEO.

He leaves the agency at a time when it is facing many serious challenges – impending deficits, a driver shortage, efforts to move the central bus hub from Kennedy Plaza to a remote location, scant progress on the Transit Master Plan, almost no marketing to increase ridership, and a problematic law giving board chairmanship to an official who inherently must focus more on highways and RIDOT’s bridge problems than on public transit.

RITR needs a strong, effective, and experienced leader to deal with these many serious challenges.

We believe this is an opportunity to replace RIPTA’s current CEO with a nationally recognized public transit leader who can provide the transformational leadership needed to turn RIPTA into a first-class public transit agency.  We urge the Board to take this opportunity to do so.

RI Transit Riders wishes Scott all the best in his future endeavors.

Patricia Raub and Amy Glidden, Co-chairs, RI Transit Riders