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« Curbs on sex offenders before Somerset voters tonight | Today | Photo: How much they'll cut for Locks of Love » May 19, 2008RIPTA raises its fares as it faces sea of red inkPROVIDENCE -- The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority board raised its fares today, but before the decision was made, the agency had already suffered financial setbacks that far exceed the added revenue the fare hike will produce. The increases, effective July 1, will raise the fare for a single ride 16 percent, from $1.50 to $1.75, and the price of a monthly pass 22 percent, from $45 to $55. RIPTA officials need to generate $662,000 in extra revenue, but say the increases will probably drive away 5 percent of its riders who can’t afford to pay. The fare increase generated no outcry from riders, but it has been sharply criticized by transit advocates as exactly the wrong move when fuel costs are rising and riders are flocking to the bus system. "We can’t grow the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority with fare increases," Chris Wilhite of the Rhode Island chapter of the Sierra Club told the board today. Meanwhile, the financial significance of the fare hike seemed to wash away in a tide of red ink. What RIPTA officials had said looked like a balanced, $89.5 million budget in March has since turned into $5.3 million in budget deficits projected for this fiscal year and next, they said today. After the meeting, Chairman Robert Batting said he has no immediate idea how the agency will close that huge gap. -- Journal staff writer Bruce Landis Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsBob Arino | May 19, 2008 7:55 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
Instead of pouring billions down the toilet with the "Iway" RI should be building up its public transportation systems. Once again, our George W. Bush at the State House makes the wrong decisions and we suffer for it.
The Iway project should be halted immediately and those funds should be redirected to create bike lanes, a metro-rail system and convert RIPTA to hybrid. Gas will be $10/gallon in five years. The "Iway" (how hip!) with be nothing more than a glorified parking lot.