The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced today it will postpone implementing unpopular bus service cuts that had originally been planned for early spring. The agency, which planned the cuts because of a driver shortage, said in a statement that the postponement would give more time for RIPTA to attract new drivers.
RIPTA said in January it planned to eliminate or reduce service on dozens of routes across the state on April 6. The proposal was sharply criticized by riders and transit advocates at public meetings and on social media.
Then, in a meeting in late February that followed negotiations with RIPTA union officials, RIPTA’s board voted to increase starting wages for drivers, and increase wages for more seasoned drivers. At the time, RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian said he hoped the new starting wage would allow the agency to “aggressively” recruit. RIPTA is now paying new bus drivers $25.33 per hour, a 16.7% increase from $21.71 per hour.
RIPTA now has until mid-June to continue to ponder service cuts and recruit drivers. In a press release, Avedisian wrote RIPTA riders’ concerns have not gone unnoticed.
“We have listened to the concerns of our riders and the community,” said Scott Avedisian, Chief Executive Officer. “The decision to postpone service cuts reflects our commitment to providing reliable and accessible public transit services. We will use this time to make informed decisions as we continue to build our workforce to meet the needs of our passengers.”
Besides a lack of drivers, RIPTA is also battling a $10 million deficit that the agency says could lead to further cuts, though there are several bills under consideration in the state legislature that could help RIPTA make up some of the funding it lacks.
