This week, RIPTA’s board voted to raise wages for drivers, a move the agency hopes will stave off possible service cuts. We talk with RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian. Also, the Tidewater Landing soccer stadium deal will cost Rhode Islanders tens of millions more than originally planned. Boston Globe reporter Brian Amaral explains how much more taxpayers are on the hook for and why. Plus, on Artscape this week: actor Kali Reis, co-star of the latest season of HBO’s “True Detective.” It’s the third acting role for Reis, a former boxing world champion who was born in Providence and grew up in East Providence. That and more coming up on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
RIPTA
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Transportation
Here’s what bus riders think of RIPTA’s proposed service cuts
Eighteen-year-old Angela Sarmiento is a regular on RIPTA bus 18. She uses it to get from her home in Cranston to school, or to her job at a retirement home on the East Side of Providence. She says it’s pretty reliable. “It comes on time. It’s never late,” she said. But Sarmiento’s commute might get […]
Posted inLocal, Political Roundtable, Politics
RI Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson on Washington Bridge, McKee’s budget, RIPTA and more
Legislative Oversight committees plan to hold a joint hearing Monday to examine the crisis involving the Washington Bridge. For now, motorists continue to wrestle with congested traffic at peak times and the ripple effect sometimes extends beyond Interstate 195 into the streets of Providence, East Providence and other communities. If the westbound Washington Bridge needs […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics, Transportation
Lessons from Rhode Island’s free ferry experiment
The Bristol-to-Providence free ferry was a short-lived experiment that started on Dec. 21 as an emergency response to the Washington Bridge closure. But it was dropped on Jan. 19 because of low ridership and steep costs. Does that mean commuter ferry service in the Ocean State is a lost cause, or could it play some […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk
Officials assessing Washington Bridge to determine if full rebuild is necessary
More than a month after the westbound side of the Washington Bridge was abruptly closed to traffic, officials were still determining if the bridge could be repaired or must be completely rebuilt, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said Monday during a press conference. “It could be a repair of the existing structure, […]
Posted inArticle, Business, Local, Metro Desk, Stories, Transportation
First day of free ferry service between Bristol and Providence sees low ridership, but enthusiastic passengers
Dec. 21 was the opening day of a free ferry between Bristol and Providence. The state started the temporary service to help ease traffic following the closure of the I-195 Bridge connecting the east bay and Providence. It was a brisk but still dawn in Providence as the first passengers filtered off the first boat […]
Posted inArticle
Bus driver shortage leaving riders stranded and workers strained
RIPTA has a bus driver shortage. The problem has led to frequent delays and canceled routes – as well as a lot of frustrated riders.
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For December 13
Question of the Week: Will Rhode Island ever be able to leverage its small size to get better public transit? Thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) RIPTA talks up the […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Bonus Q&A: Avedisian On RIPTA, Kennedy Plaza, Warwick Contracts & More
RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian joins Bonus Q&A to discuss a range of questions related to transit and Warwick, where he served for many years as mayor.
Posted inArticle, Environment, Health
New Zero-Emission RIPTA Buses To Make Stops In ‘Asthma Hot Spots’
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will be testing three new emission-free buses in parts of the state with high asthma rates.
