RIPTA’s current fiscal year budget shortfall comes to $10 million dollars. Bus riders will invariably bear the brunt of service cuts without a pledge of more revenue from the Governor and lawmakers. [See Dana Schneider’s July 30 article, “Providence Counts: Proposed RIPTA Cuts, by the Numbers.”]
In short, it’s people you know and care about who will bear the burden of RIPTA’s proposed service reductions. Bus riders represent all communities in Rhode Island.
For RI’s only public transit service, this is a crucial week of decisions with an upcoming Board vote on Thurs, August 7th, to authorize or not, RIPTA’s proposed service cuts.
Your help will make a big difference to those who work for RIPTA and rely on buses to travel.
To expand awareness about our Kennedy Plaza rally on Wed, August 6th, at 5 pm, please post and otherwise help by sharing the information below.
And through Thurs 8th, [we] urge the public to call or write Governor McKee to insist he work with State leaders to appropriate needed funding to sustain RIPTA’s financial footing.
SPECIFIC WAYS TO HELP:
- Invite to Wed. August 6th -“Stranded by the State” Rally to Stop Bus Service Cuts
Wednesday, August 6th, in Kennedy Plaza, a 5 pm community event will share budget and cuts information, collect stories from bus riders and offer an open mic for the public to speak out.
This rally comes just one day before RIPTA’s Board of Directors vote on the Agency’s proposed service cuts.
- Mon thru Thurs – Aug 4-7th.Making Calls to Governor McKee
CONTACT Gov. McKee’s office. Let him know, to avoid drastic and crushing service cuts, RIPTA must receive additional operating funds.
Call Gov. McKee’s office at (401) 222-2080 or message him online at governor.ri.gov/contact
You can find a sample call or email script here.
Rochelle Lee
Resident of Elmwood
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