September 9th, 2025

Despite the August 28 vote of the RIPTA Board of Directors approving McKee’s deep bus service cuts, RI Transit Riders will not give up fighting to fully fund RIPTA.

The danger is that McKee’s deep bus service cuts,  fare increases and less service for riders could put RIPTA in a downward spiral, battered by shrinking revenues and constant service cuts. 

To allow RI’s bus system to unravel over $5 million is a massive folly.

But there is enough time for the Governor to act to rescind his service cuts on September 27th, if he wants to.

We cannot believe Governor McKee wants to hurt RIPTA’s riders, but that will happen.

We cannot believe Governor McKee wants to undercut RIPTA’s capacity, as it will, to mitigate climate change, air pollution, congestion, road safety and keep energy dollars in RI. 

If he wants to, Governor McKee can stand up for RI’s 40,000 bus riders.

If he wants to, Governor McKee can offset RIPTA’s remaining $5 million deficit in RI’s 2026 Supplemental Budget. 

If Governor McKee agrees, several RIPTA Board members publicly supported reconvening to rescind September’s bus service cuts.

We are calling on you to ask Governor McKee to do so. 

Whether you use RIPTA or not, your call can make a difference.