March 7, 2013
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is urging the public to provide feedback on how to improve transit services in Rhode Island. As part of a statewide review of transit services called a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), RIPTA staff is hoping to hear from both users and non-users of the system.
“As part of this study, RIPTA has been working to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our bus system, and to determine where we might redirect resources to better serve our customers and attract more riders to our network,” according to Mark Therrien, AGM of Planning at RIPTA. “Public input is a critical part of this process as our goal is to put service where it would best serve the people of our state.”
The study has undertaken a detailed review process to identify where people live and work, how each bus route is performing today, and where changes might possibly be made to better serve riders. Ideas under consideration can be found on the Projects page of RIPTA’s website at http://www.ripta.com/coa-project-documents. Members of the public can go online to review and provide comment on two alternative service scenarios, letting RIPTA know which ideas they like best. Each scenario is designed to work within RIPTA’s existing budget, and the intent is to direct transit resources where they would be most effective. Community meetings taking place February 25th through March 6th are another opportunity to learn more about proposed changes and for the public to provide input on what might work best for them. Per recent community requests, RIPTA has added two additional community meetings on March 18th and March 21st.
Public input has been a key part of the COA. In August and September, RIPTA surveyed nearly 10,000 users of the bus system in order to better understand where people need to travel, and what type of services they desire. Throughout the fall, over 700 people posted comments on RIPTA’s website, providing feedback on detailed evaluations of each bus route. RIPTA staff will submit specific final recommendations for improving the statewide transit network based on comments collected from the public.
“With the public’s help, RIPTA can better design our statewide transit network to support our passengers and attract more riders,” said Mayor Avedisian, RIPTA Board Chairman. “We expect the results of this study will make our service easier to use, faster and more convenient for our customers.”
COMMUNITY MEETING SCHEDULE
University of Rhode Island
Feinstein Providence Campus
Auditorium
80 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
Monday, February 25, 2013
12:00PM – 2:00PM
Warwick City Hall
Council Chambers
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Monday, February 25, 2013
5:00PM-7:00PM
Narragansett Town Hall
Assembly Room
25 Fifth Avenue
Narragansett, RI 02882
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
5:00PM-7:00PM
CCRI Newport Campus
Auditorium
One John H. Chafee Blvd.
Newport, RI 02840
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
5:00PM-7:00PM
RIPTA Headquarters
705 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
Thursday, February 28, 2013
5:00PM-7:00PM
Glocester Senior Center
1210 Putnam Pike
Chepachet, RI 02814
Monday, March 4, 2013
6:00PM-8:00PM
Barrington Public Library
2nd Floor Auditorium
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Tiverton Town Hall
343 Highland Road
Tiverton, RI
Monday, March 18, 2013
7:00PM – 8:30PM
Pawtucket Transit Center
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Thursday, March 21, 2013
5:00PM – 7:30PM
To learn more about the COA, please visit the project website at http://www.ripta.com/coa-project-documents. To sign-up to be part of the project mailing list, please email coa@ripta.com.
For more information on schedules or other RIPTA services, please call 781-9400 or visit ripta.com.