The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will conduct public hearings on Monday, July 30 and Tuesday, July 31 to address the Authority’s Deficit Reduction Plan in order to reduce a $1.15 million shortfall in the fiscal year 2002 budget.
The budget shortfall, according to RIPTA, is a result of increases in fuel and a decline in revenue from the state’s gas tax.
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The Deficit Reduction Plan calls for removing underutilized route segments (low ridership), elimination of duplicative service, and the adjustment of trip frequency to meet current passenger demand. RIPTA carries an average of 50,000 passengers a day of 60 routes statewide. The average cost per passenger in the RIPTA system is $2.94 and the average number of passengers per trip is 15. Of all the routes listed in the Deficit Reduction Plan, the average ridership is less than one passenger and the average cost is more than $20 per passenger.
The public is invited to view and comment on the Deficit Reduction Plan on Monday at the Providence Public Library on Washington Street, from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. There will also be an opportunity to view and comment on the plan on Monday at Newport City Hall from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Hearings will also be held on Tuesday at Warwick Public Library on Sandy Lane from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and at the South Kingstown Town Hall, from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
