RIPTA Proposes Service Cutbacks

By: Justin Desjardins
Posted In: News

Late in October, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) stated that they might need to cut service to meet budget short falls. The initial proposal to RIPTA’s board of directors would cut service after 9 p.m. on weekdays, after 7 p.m. on weekends, wipe out holiday service, and eliminate the summer service from the cities to the beaches.

Mr. Larry Kestler, Salve’s transportation coordinator who works with RIPTA, says that there are ongoing negotiations between Salve Regina, the state, and RIPTA regarding any possible reductions in services to Salve students. He adds that it is too early to tell what will happen, but they are hopeful that there will not be any reduction of service for Salve students.

Mr. John Rok, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Kestler emphasize “discussions have taken place” about adding a trolley to get students from downtown to campus in time for 8 a.m. classes. Right now, there is no RIPTA service bringing students to those morning classes. Rok says that students can leave their cars at home, not worry about parking tickets, and the campus will be less congested if the service is added for the spring semester.

According to Kessler, the tentative plan is for a RIPTA trolley to leave the Gateway Center (outbound) for Salve at 7:40 a.m. Monday – Friday. An inbound trolley will make a round of campus via Bellevue Ave. /Ruggles Ave. at 7:38 a.m. The service would begin on January 17, 2004, for the spring semester with the rest of the schedule to remain the same.

As for the reason for any possible reduction, Alfred Moscola, RIPTA’s general manager, told Channel 12 that RIPTA is “facing some pretty significant financial problems.” During the last few years, sources told Channel 12 that RIPTA’s increasing operating cost has exceeded the revenue that the state gasoline tax brings in to finance the transit authority.

On November 13, Governor Carcieri’s press secretary, Jeff Neal, told the Providence Journal that the Governor has decided against massive cuts in RIPTA service in order to balance RIPTA’s budget. Neal told the Journal that the state is not going to “bridge the gap through wholesale cutbacks in service.” However, he said, “Small, tailored reductions are still certainly possible.”

As things stand now, the Journal reports that the agency will have a deficit of about $8 million. The proposal, which is for the fiscal year beginning July 1, still must be submitted to the Rhode Island General Assembly for approval.

From Salve’s view, Rok says that the Salve – RIPTA contract has been a positive experience. He is looking forward to continued benefits from the service.