The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will hold public hearings on proposed service changes on December 4 in Warwick and December 5 in Providence. The proposed service changes would affect Routes 10X, 28, 29, 35, 72, and 78. Additionally, minor changes to Providence School afternoon service will also be addressed.
The proposed service changes include an increase of service frequency on some high performing routes, new service to a major employment center and the elimination of a low-performing route segment.
The proposed service changes are as follows:
Route 10X
Daily trips will be added to operate between the new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Johnston and downtown Providence. This pilot service launched October 2024.
Route 28 (Broadway/Hartford)
Some trips will be extended to serve the new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Johnston.
Route 29 (CCRI Warwick/Conimicut)
Due to low ridership, the deviation to Long St. and Strawberry Field Rd. will be eliminated.
Route 35 (Rumford/Newport Ave.)
This route will no longer travel inbound over I-195. Outbound trips remain the same.
Route 72 (Weeden/Central Falls)
Weekday frequency will be increased from every 24 minutes to every 20 minutes.
Route 78 (Beverage Hill Ave/East Providence)
This route will no longer travel inbound over I-195. Outbound trips remain the same.
Frequency on weekday trips will be increased from every 50 minutes to every 40-45 minutes all day.
Frequency on Saturday trips will be increased from every 45 minutes to every 35 minutes all day.
Frequency on Sunday trips will be increased from every 90 minutes to every 50 minutes all day.
Providence School Service
Select afternoon trips traveling from Hope High School, Mt. Pleasant High School, E-Cubed Academy, and Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School will now operate directly to neighborhood RIPTA Routes without having to transfer in Kennedy Plaza.
Under state law, the Authority must post the hearing schedule prior to holding any public hearings. All input from the public at the hearings will be submitted to RIPTA’s Board of Directors in December and the Board will vote on the proposed service changes at its December 19, 2024, board meeting. If approved, service changes would go into effect on January 18, 2025.
All interested parties are invited to submit comments concerning the proposed service changes by December 6, 2024. Comments may be submitted to RIPTA’s Office of the CEO at 705 Elmwood Ave., Providence, RI 02907. Alternatively, comments may also be sent to marketing@ripta.com or by calling (401) 784-9500 ext. 1101.
Public Hearing Schedule
The public hearing schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
CCRI Knight Campus, 400 East Ave., Warwick
Presentation Room #4080, located on the 4th floor
Times: 12:30pm – 2pm & 5:30pm – 7pm
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Providence Foundation, 30 Exchange Terrace, Providence
Times: 12:30pm – 2pm & 5:30pm – 7pm
These hearings will be accessible to people with disabilities and people with limited English proficiency. RIPTA will provide translation and interpreter services for the deaf and hearing impaired, provided such a request is made at least 72 hours prior to the hearing date. A request for this service can be made by calling (401) 784-9500 ex. 1242 or 800-745-5555 (RI Relay TDD).