August 5, 2013
Press Releases
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will implement fall service changes effective Saturday, August 24, 2013. RIPTA makes regular service adjustments three times a year in response to seasonal changes and/or passenger use. These fall service changes are part of the first phase of RIPTA’s implementation of its Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) which assessed the demand for transit service throughout the state.
Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA)
To ensure that Rhode Island’s transit services reflect the changes that have been occurring throughout the state, RIPTA has conducted a comprehensive evaluation, or COA, of its services. As a result of the COA, proposed changes have been identified for each route. These changes are designed to work within RIPTA’s existing budget and to direct transit resources where they would be most effective.
RIPTA held public hearings on proposed service changes in all five Rhode Island counties on May 29, May 30, June 3, June 4, June 5, and June 6, 2013. Riders and non-riders had the opportunity to review the proposed changes and provide public comment. RIPTA’s Board of Directors approved the COA recommendations on June 17, 2013.
RIPTA is excited to announce that we will begin implementing these improvements over the next two years beginning with these fall service changes. This is a cost-neutral project; the recommended changes are designed to work within RIPTA’s existing budget.
The COA is one of RIPTA’s major initiatives for the coming year, which also includes improvements to RIPTA facilities, technology and enhanced customer information.
Two years since the release of the Authority’s Strategic Plan, RIPTA is making progress in its efforts to maintain a strong bus system and improve its services in a fiscally responsible manner.
2013 Fall Service Changes
These annual changes are major and include trip time changes, route eliminations, route renaming, as well as rescheduling for better on-time performance.
Other service changes include direct service from Coventry/West Warwick to Warwick Mall on Route 13 (Arctic/Washington); new improved frequency key corridor service on Routes 21 (Reservoir) and Route 31 (Cranston St.); and the realignment of Routes 3 (Warwick Avenue), 30 (Arlington/Oaklawn), 32 (West Barrington), 34 (East Providence), 40 (Butler/Elmgrove), and 55 (Admiral/Providence College). Route 56 (Chalkstone Ave.) will now serve the V. A. Hospital on all trips.
Routes 26 (Atwells/RI College) and 53 (Smithfield Ave.) have been discontinued. Route 26 passengers may us the newly extended service on Route 92 (RI College / Federal Hill / East Side); Route 53 passengers may use Route 72 (Weeden/Central Falls).
Passengers are strongly encouraged to check RIPTA’s newly designed schedules for how service changes may affect them. They may also pick up the leaflet entitled Fall Service Changes Effective August 24, 2013 that is available at Kennedy Plaza. For schedules and more information, passengers may call 401-781-9400, or visit www.ripta.com
The following routes will be affected by the fall service changes:
Weekday Schedule Changes-Fall 2013
Saturday Schedule Changes-Fall 2013
Sunday/Holiday Schedule Changes-Fall 2013
13 Coventry / Arctic / Warwick Mall
26 Atwells / RI College
32 East Providence / Wampanoag
53 Smithfield Avenue
55 Admiral / Providence College
73 Mineral Spring / Twin River / CCRI
90S North Scituate Park-n-Ride
90W Westerly Park-n-Ride