RIPTA Update

RIPTA’s Director of Communications and Public Outreach has provided an update on upcoming changes to our current service. 
These changes are largely driven by two things:

1. The challenge of recruiting more drivers than are currently retiring, and;
2. Ridership – or the lack thereof – on different routes.

In order to provide our riders with the best possible service within our tight budget constraints, RIPTA is constantly monitoring routes and service times.  From time to time we make changes to service in response to changes in ridership, traffic patterns and other metrics. In response to either workforce needs or changing ridership on certain routes, we will be recommending changes that will improve the system as a whole.

Despite extensive recruitment efforts, drivers continue to retire more quickly than we can recruit new ones. This, obviously, has a direct impact on the level of service we can provide to Rhode Islanders.  Any lost service is regrettable, but we find ourselves in a situation where we must take action to ensure that we can keep our commitments to riders as outlined in our schedule.  This is critical to providing the kind of reliable and consistent transit service that will retain riders and attract new ones. 

Manwhile, we are working with our union to create a new starting wage for operators that should address our recruiting challenges and help RIPTA better execute its mission. Our goal is to improve the hiring situation by this summer.  From there, we will look at where we can deploy our resources better to provide better service across the state.   

At the same time, while ridership on some routes is stable or growing, there are other that riders are simply not taking advantage of. On some days there are routes where we are seeing as few as (insert numbers) riders. It is not prudent for us to continue to operate these routes, particularly given our workforce challenges and financial concerns.

Our goals are to:

1. Ensure we can meet 100% of our scheduled service 100% of the time
2. Review performance of all routes to determine what changes will improve on-time performance, and;
3. Determine what changes will improve the driving experience and working conditions for operators.

These goals are essential to creating a better transit system.  As we make these changes we believe we will be better positioned to better meet the needs of riders and residents across the state. 

All of this comes amidst the large fiscal challenges faced by both RIPTA and the state.  We look forward to working with you to meet these challenges.

Pursuant to Section 39-18-4.2 of the State General Laws, attached is a neighborhood impact statement for the affected routes in your area. Public hearings on these proposed service changes are scheduled for February 12-15, February 19 and on February 21, 2024. Please visit RIPTA.com/PublicHearings for more information. (See the .pdf below.)

We will continue to communicate with you regarding these changes.  Meanwhile, should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Best,

Cristy Raposo Perry, Director of Communications & Public Outreach