RIPTA cuts routes, eliminates 20 bus drivers' jobs
4:14 PM Mon, Nov 17, 2008 | Permalink
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By Bruce Landis PROVIDENCE -- The state transit authority's board of directors this afternoon approved service reductions affecting 47 of its bus routes and eliminating about 20 bus drivers' jobs. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority officials said the reductions would save about $900,000 this fiscal year, or about $2 million per year. However, they would not begin to address the estimated $8-million budget deficit which could force much larger service cutbacks within a few months. On the other hand, Board Chairman John Rupp said he is optimistic that state government will come up with enough money to get RIPTA to the end of the fiscal year, June 30, without those cutbacks. Where officials said yesterday's cutbacks would eliminate only 2 percent or less of RIPTA's bus service, the cuts that would be needed to cover the deficit could take as much as 20 percent. General Manager Alfred J. Moscola said there are eight vacancies among the roughly 380 drivers' jobs. That could leave the other 12 drivers vulnerable to layoffs unless retirements made up the difference. 
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WHICH ROUTES WILL BE CUT? WESTERLY??????
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It is time for the bus company to become more efficient. Everyday I see buses parked and/or driving about with a sign that says out of service. Why are we paying for buses to perposely drive around empty?
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Again, way to go "Don" for encouraging people to not work in the state of rhode island, Ordinary working folks that cannot afford a car and rely on mass transportation to get to their place of employ must now find other ways to their work place or be kicked to the curb. Another grand initiative by our pro business guru. What next "Don"?
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