By: Ashley Giandomenio
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Lindsay Little
RIPTA buses are a familiar sight on Rhode Island college campuses. At the beginning of the semester, RIPTA officials notified students that service to Providence could be cancelled.
As the stressful week comes to an end, classes are over, work can be left for the weekend and the last test was completed hours earlier, many students just want to let loose, experience a new atmosphere and have a good time. What better way to fulfill these cravings then to join other college kids on the dance floor?
On Thursday nights, Providence is “college night” and the place to go to clubs, dance and have fun. However, Salve students were notified that these enjoyable nights may only exist in memories now. In the beginning of the fall semester, an email was sent out to all college students regarding The Rhode Island Public Transportation Association (RIPTA) Thursday night bus schedule. The disappointing email revealed that “college night” will now be more difficult to attend. RIPTA announced the Thursday night campus service would be discontinued. The service provided extra buses for students from the University of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University and Providence College, traveling to and from Providence on Thursday evenings. This email stirred up a lot of complaints among students at Salve and other affiliated colleges. The discontinuation of the special service was due to some students acting loud and disorderly on the late night trips and also the cost of the extra trips. However, soon after the new Thursday night schedule was public, members of RIPTA knew they had made a mistake. Therefore, another statement was issued by RIPTA on October 10, 2003 which declared that the special Thursday night bus service for college students will continue pending meetings with college and university officials. RIPTA General Manager Alfred J. Moscola was quoted in a press release to say: “We realize the importance and value of this service to the community. It does provide a safe way for students to get back to school after a night of visiting the clubs. We plan to hold meetings with college and university officials in the next several weeks in order to try and resolve the safety issues caused by the rowdiness of some of the students.” The lack of the service appeared to be an unpopular solution to some of the problems RIPTA drivers experience during these trips. As a result, members of RIPTA are trying to work out some of the issues in other ways. “We strongly support continuing this extra bus service,” said Robert D. Batting, chair of the RIPTA board. “The next step is for us to sit down with the schools and work through all the issues, including the cost of this service.” In the meantime, students of participating colleges can be at ease, and continue to have their fun in Providence on Thursday nights.
