PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Changes are coming to bus services in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s (RIPTA) board approved a proposal to address its financial troubles that includes some service reductions and fare increases during a meeting on Thursday.
The changes will allow RIPTA to address the remaining $10 million of its $17.6 million budget shortfall.
BACKGROUND: New RIPTA proposal prevents route cuts, includes fewer service reductions
Following backlash to RIPTA’s initial proposal to address the shortfall, RIPTA CEO Christopher Durand and Gov. Dan McKee announced Monday that they had developed a new budget framework that would prevent bus routes from being completely eliminated. The original proposal planned to cut 11 regular and flex routes, five park-and-ride routes and seven route segments, as well as 15 weekend and holiday routes…