December 30, 2013

Press Releases

Winter Service Changes Leaflet Effective January 18, 2014

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will implement winter service changes effective Saturday, January 18, 2014.

RIPTA makes regular service adjustments three times a year in response to seasonal changes and/or passenger use. These winter service changes are part of the second 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 began implementing these improvements this past fall and will continue until all routes are complete. This is a cost-neutral project; the recommended changes are designed to work within RIPTA’s existing budget.

Two years since the release of the Authority’s Strategic Plan, RIPTA continues to make progress in its efforts to maintain a strong bus system and improve its services in a fiscally responsible manner.

2014 Winter Service Changes

These annual changes are major and include trip time changes, route eliminations, route enhancements, route renaming, as well as rescheduling for better on-time performance.

Other service changes include direct service from Providence to Woonsocket on Route 54 (Lincoln/Woonsocket); new improved frequency key corridor service on Routes 17(Dyer/Pocasset ) 19(Plainfield/Westminster), & 20 (Elmwood Ave./T.F. Green Airport); and the realignment of Routes 17 (Dyer/Pocasset), 19 (Plainfield/Westminster), 20 (Elmwood Ave./T.F. Green Airport), 34 (East Providence), 51 (Charles St./Twin River/CCRI) and 54 (Lincoln/Woonsocket).

Route 79 (Columbus Ave.) has been discontinued. Route 79 passengers may use Route 80 (Armistice Blvd) for service to Memorial Hospital and Columbus Avenue.

Passengers are strongly encouraged to check new schedules for how service changes may affect them. They may also pick up the leaflet entitled Winter Service Changes Effective January 18, 2014 that is available at Kennedy Plaza starting on Friday, January 3, 2014; the leaflet is also viewable online. For schedules and more information, passengers may call 401-781-9400, or visit www.ripta.com

The following routes will be affected by the winter service changes:

1 Eddy St.
9 Pascoag
11 Broad Street
12X Arctic/Rte.117 Park-n-Ride Express
13 Coventry/Arctic/Warwick Mall
17 Dyer/Pocasset
18 Union Ave
19 Plainfield/Westminster
20 Elmwood Ave./T.F. Green Airport
21 Reservoir/Garden City
22 Pontiac Avenue
30 Arlington/Oaklawn
32 East Providence/Wampanoag
33 Riverside
34 East Providence
51 Charles St./Twin River/CCRI
54 Lincoln/Woonsocket
56 Chalkstone Avenue
57 Smith Street
58 Mineral Spring/North Providence
59X North Smithfield/Lincoln Express
60 Newport/Providence
72 Weeden/Central Falls
79 Columbus Avenue
90A Arctic/117 Park-n-Ride
90C Chimney Hill Park-n-Ride
92 Rhode Island College/Federal Hill/East Side
95X Westerly Express