Fund Transit, Save RIPTA, says new coalition

“We should be doing all we can to grow RIPTA’s capacity to serve more people, not let it fall over a fiscal cliff," say advocates.

Over 75 people representing a broad coalition of community organizations and legislators gathered in Kennedy Plaza on Thursday for a press conference announcing the Save RIPTA coalition, an effort to urge Governor Daniel McKee to fully fund RIPTA in the upcoming Rhode Island state budget. RIPTA is the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, which runs the statewide public bus system.

The coalition noted that when the COVID pandemic caused major funding losses for RIPTA and other public transportation systems across the nation, the federal government stepped in with emergency relief funding to plug the hole. However, RIPTA’s relief funding will run out next year before funding sources recover, leaving a budget shortfall that will soon balloon. RIPTA is already understaffed and, unaddressed, the fiscal cliff will result in devastating service cuts that will affect the entire state.

“From the cities in Rhode Island’s urban core to the village centers and rural communities across the state, people of all ages and abilities rely on RIPTA to get around,” said Liza Burkin, lead organizer of the Providence Streets Coalition, who also emceed the press conference. “Healthy economies and communities require public transportation that gets people where they need and want to go. We should be doing all we can to grow RIPTA’s capacity to serve more people, not let it fall over a fiscal cliff.”

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“Bus lines are lifelines. Rhode Island has the foundation of a wonderful statewide bus system, but it has suffered from disinvestment and neglect for many years," said Senator Meghan Kallman (Democrat, District 15, Pawtucket-Providence), the leader of the Save RIPTA legislative effort. "The transit system is key to our efforts to reduce emissions, to connect communities, and to create healthy, vibrant economies. But to make that a reality, we need to invest in it like the serious piece of infrastructure that it is: expanding service, compensating our operators, and making sure it is timely and reliable. We cannot wait any longer - this is the year to fund RIPTA like we mean it”.

The coalition is requesting $110 million in Rhode Island’s annual budget:

• $40 million to prevent the fiscal cliff by supporting the maintenance of existing bus service

• $24 million to support hiring and training more bus operators by increasing wages and benefits to be competitive and in line with the cost of living in Rhode Island

• $46 million annually to implement the Transit Master Plan that would expand transit service statewide – a key strategy for reaching the state’s legally mandated Act on Climate goals.

The Save RIPTA coalition maintains that public transit is an economic engine for Rhode Island, reduces congestion, and is a key solution to combat climate change. RIPTA, says the coalition, provides access to Rhode Island’s jobs, education, and essential services for tens of thousands of people.

Liza Burkin

“RIPTA is a vital part of our democratic infrastructure in Rhode Island. It connects our communities in ways every Rhode Islander supports,” said Patrick Crowley, Secretary-Treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. “That's why the Rhode Island AFL-CIO supports increased funding for RIPTA to not just preserve but expand services.”

“RIPTA is a means of survival for many Rhode Islanders that utilize service to travel to various destinations," said President/Business Agent Walter Melillo from ATU Local 618/618A. "As RIPTA faces the fiscal cliff, we’re asking Governor McKee to incorporate additional funding in the upcoming budget. Unfortunately, RIPTA is extremely short-staffed and our members are forced to run service with limited to no recovery time so that our passengers can reach their destinations. The answer to this ongoing issue is additional funding to expand service. It will also provide the resources to RIPTA to hire staff and offer competitive wages. Sustainable funding is a must.”

“Transportation is vital, many communities like ours rely on RIPTA to get to school, work, and medical appointments,” said Jonathan de Jesus and Michelle Rivera in a from Progreso Latino. “Allowing RIPTA to crumble would be catastrophic and will affect every Rhode Islander one way or another. Transportation is freedom. The right to transportation is about equity.”

Also speaking were State Senator Victoria Gu (Democrat, District 38, Westerly, Charlestown), State Representative David Morales (Democrat, District 7, Providence), Dexter Vincent for the Providence Student Union, Tom Sgouros for the Rhode Island Transit Riders, and Cheryl Space, Director of the Community Libraries of Providence.

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