Scott Avedisian’s exit as CEO of RIPTA became official Tuesday when the public transit agency’s board unanimously approved a severance agreement that includes a payment of $67,800. The payment consists of $45,500 for 13 weeks of wages and $22,400 for accrued vacation time. Avedisian, who did not attend the meeting, has been RIPTA’s CEO since […]
Scott Avedisian
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 12, 2024
If someone was selling kits to build your own ark, they could clean up (before we all float away). You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
Avedisian resigns while facing charge in Warwick crash
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority CEO Scott Avedisian submitted his resignation Thursday, about two weeks after being involved in a chain-reaction car crash at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Warwick. In a letter to Gov. Dan McKee, Avedisian claimed credit for a series of improvements at RIPTA, including a downtown transit connector, funding the transit agency’s […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
Avedisian pleads not guilty to charge of leaving the scene
RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident, and he declined to comment on the episode that led to the charge. Avedisian arrived at the Kent County Courthouse with his lawyer, former House Speaker John Harwood, and didn’t respond to questions from reporters before and […]
Posted inLabor, Local, Transportation
RIPTA board member Pat Crowley on how the agency can avoid proposed service cuts
Rhode Island’s public transit authority, RIPTA, has been making headlines lately. Proposed service cuts, angry riders, an embattled CEO, and debate over where to locate Providence’s central bus hub.
Posted inArts And Culture, The Weekly Catch, Transportation
RIPTA CEO on driver raises and possible service cuts, Tidewater Landing’s mounting price tag, and more
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.
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 inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Avedisian On RIPTA’s Future & Democrats’ Impeachment Push
RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian joins Political Roundtable to discuss the future of the transit agency, and the move by U.S. House Democrats to bring articles of impeachment against President Trump.