Big Changes at RIPTA
Thursday, June 09, 2016
Governor Gina Raimondo announced the nomination of Joshua H. Brumberger, Wayne M. Kezirian, and Karen A. Santilli to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Board of Directors.
Kezaian, the former Johnson and Wales legal counsel is expected to serve as Chair of the Board and will replace Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian who recently resigned.
As GoLocal reported in May, "In the past two years, three people have been killed by RIPTA buses and dozens have been injured. Now a lawsuit in the 2015 death of nine-year-old Ani Emdjian raises serious concerns about RIPTA’s safety and training of its drivers."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRaimondo submitted the three nominees to the Rhode Island Senate for confirmation.
"A 21st century economy requires a 21st century public transit system," said Raimondo. "The key to a responsive, reliable, and safe RIPTA service is innovative board members who understand the importance of RIPTA to its diverse ridership, businesses, and communities throughout the state. I am confident that Josh, Wayne, and Karen share my vision that public transit should do more than move people from A to B; it should also move at the speed of business."
General Assembly Also Looking for Changes
The General Assembly on Thursday also passed legislation by Rep. Eileen S. Naughton (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) and Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence ) that changes the composition of the RIPTA’s Baord
The bills (2016-H 7329, 2016-S 2373) would provide that the governor’s appointments to the RIPTA authority would include a regular user of fixed-route RIPTA transportation and add at least one member of the board by a disabled person. The measure now heads to the governor for signature.
“It is imperative that a member of the board be someone who actually rides a fixed route,” said Representative Naughton. “The board needs to have direct experience of what it’s like to regularly ride on one of their buses — to interact with the driver and passengers, see the condition of Kennedy Plaza, and understand the issues that come up during day-to-day operation. Having a regular rider present to offer those experiences will help the board in developing policies that affect riders.”
“RIPTA services are of particular importance to the disabled community in Rhode Island, since many of them cannot drive,” explained Senator Pichardo. “Disabled use of RIPTA buses will continue to increase as we improve our efforts to integrate more and more of the disabled population into our communities.”
Increase rates in budget are criticized
Don Rhodes, President, RIPTA Riders Alliance, in a press released criticized a new fair increase, “Some of Rhode Island's most vulnerable people were dealt a serious blow
in the recently released House budget. Disabled and senior Rhode Islanders are going to be hit with a bus fare hike now expected to start in January.”
Rhodes added, “Hundreds of seniors and disabled people have given moving testimony over the past year about how they can't afford this bus fare hike on their limited income and will be stuck inside their residences, rarely able to go out. Advocates had called for the House budget to include money to prevent the fare hike. RIPTA Riders Alliance is disappointed that the House budget did not do this.”
Related Slideshow: RIPTA Crashes - 2016
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