The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority voted to hold public hearings on proposed fare increases in all five Rhode Island counties Dec. 20 to 23.
The Authority announced that the proposed fare hikes are part of a new budget deficit plan to eliminate a $1.9 million deficit for FY 2005, which began on July 1.
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The proposed fare increases would raise the base fare from $1.25 to $1.50, bring the trolley fare in line with the rest of the system and leave the cost of a monthly bus pass unchanged. The new fare increases would also allow passengers to transfer between the Providence LINK trolley system and fixed-route buses for 10 cents. If approved by the RIPTA board, the fare increases would take effect Feb. 1, 2005.
RIPTA General Manager Alfred Moscola stated the proposed fare increases will yield a modest amount of revenue and play a relatively small role in reducing the deficit. A major factor in decreasing this year’s deficit is the anticipated increase in payments from the Department of Human Services for an additional 4,329 monthly bus passes for RIteCare enrollees. RIPTA’s commitment to leave unfilled several vacant positions, saving over $600,000, is also an important part of this plan.
“We’ve done everything possible so that we will not have to make service cuts this fiscal year,” explained Moscola.
Under state law the Authority must post the hearing schedule 30 days prior to holding any public hearings. All input from the public at the hearings will go to RIPTA’s board of directors in January and the board will vote on the fare increase proposal at its January meeting.
The Authority is proposing to increase fares as follows:
Base Fare $1.25 to $1.50;
Trolley (LINK) $1 to $1.50;
ADA (RIde Program) $2.50 to $3;
Short Zone 50 cents to $1.50;
Senior/Disabled (off peak) 60 cents to 75 cents;
RIPTIKS (10) $11.25 to $13.50; and
Student Tokens (10) (Providence High School) $10.60 to $12.75.
The public hearings will be held in Warwick, Providence, Barrington, Narragansett and Newport.
For information on the schedule, call RIPTA at 401-784-9400 or visit the website, www.RIPTA.com.
