Carcieri says RIPTA shouldn't cut services before review
12:42 PM Fri, Sep 19, 2008 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri today announced a plan for a committee made up of three state departments' directors to come up with possible cost savings and "operating efficiencies" to deal with Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's short-term deficit. While RIPTA should hold its public hearings --which include proposed reductions that would eliminate as much as a fifth of its service -- around the state, Carcieri has asked RIPTA to "refrain from implementing any service cuts until the completion of the review and consideration by the governor, the legislature and RIPTA," according to the news release received just before noon from the governor's office. RIPTA has proposed cuts, to be carried out starting Jan. 1, to help deal with a $10.8-million shortfall in the budget year that began July 1. The transit authority has stated the deficit is mainly because of a reduction in revenue from the state gas tax, its main means of state support, and high fuel costs to run the system. The news release from the governor's office said the committee will be made up of directors from the Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation and the Department of Administration. Along with developing a strategic plan for the authority's deficit, the panel will also provide recommendations to "ensure a sustainable RIPTA" that will provide the transportation services needed now and in the future. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney The strategic plan will: * Review the "current budget and organizational framework." * Develop funding strategies and undertake a "transit peer review." The Department of Transportation, led by director Michael Lewis, will work with RIPTA board chairman John Rupp to coordinate development of the strategic plan and also try to identify "additional efficiencies in operation." The Department of Administration, led by director Jerome Williams, and the RIPTA Board Finance Committee will evaluate RIPTA's financial statements and expenses to identify possible savings that can be achieved quickly. The Department of Revenue, led by director Gary Sasse, will review revenue to identify possible ways to improve revenue and come up with new revenue streams. The initial recommendations are due to the governor in November and will serve as a plan to work with the legislature to try to sustain RIPTA. The public's comment -- through a blue ribbon panel's already scheduled public hearings and RIPTA's planned public hearings on service cuts -- will be included in the recommendations Carcieri, the governor's office said. "I firmly support RIPTA and believe it is important to provide a sustainable public transit system which is a critical building block to the state's economic development," Carcieri said in the statement. "With the support of this administration and the various agencies, it is our goal to improve RIPTA's financial situation, ensure a reliable long term revenue base and make it a viable mode of transportation for today and tomorrow." The Sierra Club issued a study about financing RIPTA. Earlier this month, General Assembly officials and the governor's office seemed at odds over coming up with more money for RIPTA. 
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Can we get an answer to the very serious question of "What moron decided to fund public transit with gasoline taxes?" Isn't it obvious that if RIPTA has a lot of people using its services that there would be fewer cars on the road and therefore less gas being sold to collect taxes from? So from the get-go, RIPTA's success was destined (and apparently designed) to be its own downfall.
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Its pretty simple I think, can't RIPTA implement different zones to charge more to the riders who live further out? It seems simple, the mbta does it to Boston and it makes sense. Instead what we have is an all or nothing attitude to fix the problems, seems that there are many options for them to pursue to keep the buses running to all parts of the state. I'm sure the cutting of services has more to do with putting money in RIPTA's managements pockets rather than what is the best interest of public transportation. Way to go.
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RIPTA is merely a way for very few people who don't have any means of transportation to get to markets and schools. Nothing else. I challenge anyone to try to find a route near to their home that drops them off near to their work and it not taking at least 3 times the amount of time if you were to drive there yourself. Why not extend a 30-45 minute commute to 2 hours each way while increasing your work week by an extra day? We all need a part-time job being bus passengers don't we?
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RIPTA is a great service for anyone who needs a ride to providence or any where. my husband takes the bus at least 3 times a week and it saves us gas and parking fees. he also uses it when he goes to URI for class's. i am glad there is a bus service that goes to that college. if you look at the schedules you will find one that works for you. i do not think they should cut services just encourge people to use it more.
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