The full US Senate approved the FY 2001 Transportation Appropriations bill on June 14. The bill will provide millions of dollars in funding for various transportation projects such as alternative fuel buses and a Pawtucket train station. The bill is expected to be a large first step into solving many environmental problems such as smog, and many irritations that lead to environmental problems such as heavy traffic.
The bill includes funding for the following:
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Alternative Fuel Bus Service: The purchase of these alternative fuel buses has been stipulated as a high priority in the bill, with $5 million that will allow RIPTA to increase its alternative fuel bus services.
Food Bank Shuttle Bus ($100,000): The allotted amount will buy at least one 12-passenger van for the commute of welfare-to-work trainees. The van will pick up trainees, generally residents of Providence, and take them to the Johnson and Whales University food service industry training program in West Warwick where they cook meals that are donated to low income children at “Kids Cafes.”
Intelligent Transport System for Aquidneck ($750,000): This funding also goes to RIPTA and will be used to equip the island with signage that will help commuters to avoid traffic tie-ups and congestion. The money will also buy intelligent traffic signals on Routes 138 and 114 on the island.
Pawtucket Train Facility: The suggested $2.5 million will support the construction of a train maintenance and layover facility in Pawtucket and will support the agreement between Rhode Island and Massachusetts regarding the Providence-Boston Commuter train. The service is hoped to eventually extend to T.F. Green airport and reduce congestion at Logan airport.
Newport Ferry Terminal ($500,000): The funding will go towards supporting continuation of a demonstration project for water ferry service between Providence and Newport and is expected to discourage automobile usage between the two cities.
URI Traffic Study ($150,00): This money will help RIPTA fund a study on traffic congestion around URI’s Kingston Campus which will eventually find a solution for the congestion in the area.
