RIPTA ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FY 2008
In FY 2008, RIPTA provided our 42nd year of statewide public transit service. We carried an estimated 25,296,132 passengers in FY 2008, or roughly 2 million passengers each month, representing a 5.3% increase in total ridership over the previous year.
Other notable achievements from FY 2008 include:
■ Installation of New Electronic Fare Collection System
RIPTA installed a new, state-of-the-art, replacement fare collection system. Electronic
fareboxes now provide automated on-board ticket processing, magnetic swipe capability and associated revenue collection equipment. The new system allows customers to pay fares using magnetic tickets with deductible stored value. Among the new system’s many benefits are increased customer convenience, faster vehicle boarding and improved security.
■ Improved Paratransit Scheduling & Dispatch Capabilities
In April 2008, RIPTA installed new scheduling and dispatch software for its Paratransit and Flex divisions, providing for the more efficient and productive operation of RIDE and ADA services. Improved scheduling, routing, sequencing and dispatching tools, and improved communications with van operators, resulting in added safety and security for our passengers, are among the project’s multiple benefits.
■ Service Improvements
Key FY 2008 service improvements include: increased capacity on Routes 27, 28, 50, 99, 11 and 60 to reduce overcrowding; adjustments to Routes 27, 76, 18, 72 and 54, to reduce overall travel time; enhanced access to large schools or major employers (e.g., Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Middletown, Brown University, Bryant University and Fidelity Investments in Smithfield); enhanced service in Pawtucket including, for example, through-routing to Kennedy Plaza; and enhanced service in the Narragansett and South Kingstown areas. In addition, Route 66 began providing regularly scheduled service from Woonsocket, North Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Providence to Narragansett beaches, and new connections were introduced between the Block Island Ferry and Kingston rail station.
■ Introduction of New Fare Products
To further enhance customer convenience and facilitate system use by tourists and other visitors to Rhode Island, RIPTA added a 1-day pass, a 7-day pass and a 15-ride ticket to its menu of fare products.
■ Paratransit Safety Demonstration Project
In response to state legislation, RIPTA completed a demonstration project to evaluate
safety enhancements on paratransit vehicles. This effort included the installation and
evaluation of alternative monitoring camera equipment, allowing RIPTA to assess the
costs and benefits of these technologies.
■ Greater Kennedy Plaza Working Group
Through a partnership with the City of Providence, local police, and private businesses,
RIPTA is participating in efforts to improve the Greater Kennedy Plaza area. These
efforts have helped to transform Kennedy Plaza into a more lively area with increased public activity, including farmer’s markets, artist programs and other events. In FY 2008, RIPTA also arranged for the installation of new welcome banners in the Plaza.
■ Enhanced Driver Safety Training
In FY 2008, RIPTA developed and implemented an updated training course program and manual for fixed-route drivers .
■ Commuter Resource Rhode Island (CRRI) – Program Expansion
CRRI provides free trip information to commuters and students throughout Rhode Island, offers programs to support commuters, and works closely with downtown businesses and major employers to encourage alternative transportation options for their employees’ commutes (e.g. carpooling, bus, discounted carpool parking, etc.). In FY 2008, CCRI developed an informational brochure on the State’s new Parking Cash Out Program, which requires major employers to offer a RIPTA transit pass in lieu of parking benefits, and “enrolled” Blue Cross/Blue Shield RI and GTECH in this program. CRRI also achieved the traffic reduction targets established in 2005 for the Keep Eddy Moving project when an estimated 2,200 cars (or 4400 trips) were diverted from the Eddy Street/ I-195 construction area. In addition, it enrolled more schools in School Pool, a CRRI program to encourage parents to carpool on school trips.
■ Expanded UPASS Program
This program, funded by participating colleges and universities, provides school-sponsored transit passes to students, faculty and/or staff. In FY 2008, Roger Williams University extended its UPASS participation to include all students, faculty and staff. RIPTA also transitioned seven of eight participating schools to swipe technology, providing for more accurate accounting of student use and improved billing.
■ Coordinated Plan for Public Transit - Human Services Transportation
In accordance with new federal legislation, Rhode Island coordinated and developed a local plan to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes. To assist with the development of this plan RIPTA established an advisory committee with state human services agencies to develop strategies and priorities for meeting these needs. A Coordinated Plan for Public Transit – Human Services Transportation in Rhode Island was published in February 2008, ensuring the continuity of certain federal funding programs in Rhode Island.
Other notable achievements from FY 2008 include:
■ Installation of New Electronic Fare Collection System
RIPTA installed a new, state-of-the-art, replacement fare collection system. Electronic
fareboxes now provide automated on-board ticket processing, magnetic swipe capability and associated revenue collection equipment. The new system allows customers to pay fares using magnetic tickets with deductible stored value. Among the new system’s many benefits are increased customer convenience, faster vehicle boarding and improved security.
■ Improved Paratransit Scheduling & Dispatch Capabilities
In April 2008, RIPTA installed new scheduling and dispatch software for its Paratransit and Flex divisions, providing for the more efficient and productive operation of RIDE and ADA services. Improved scheduling, routing, sequencing and dispatching tools, and improved communications with van operators, resulting in added safety and security for our passengers, are among the project’s multiple benefits.
■ Service Improvements
Key FY 2008 service improvements include: increased capacity on Routes 27, 28, 50, 99, 11 and 60 to reduce overcrowding; adjustments to Routes 27, 76, 18, 72 and 54, to reduce overall travel time; enhanced access to large schools or major employers (e.g., Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Middletown, Brown University, Bryant University and Fidelity Investments in Smithfield); enhanced service in Pawtucket including, for example, through-routing to Kennedy Plaza; and enhanced service in the Narragansett and South Kingstown areas. In addition, Route 66 began providing regularly scheduled service from Woonsocket, North Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Providence to Narragansett beaches, and new connections were introduced between the Block Island Ferry and Kingston rail station.
■ Introduction of New Fare Products
To further enhance customer convenience and facilitate system use by tourists and other visitors to Rhode Island, RIPTA added a 1-day pass, a 7-day pass and a 15-ride ticket to its menu of fare products.
■ Paratransit Safety Demonstration Project
In response to state legislation, RIPTA completed a demonstration project to evaluate
safety enhancements on paratransit vehicles. This effort included the installation and
evaluation of alternative monitoring camera equipment, allowing RIPTA to assess the
costs and benefits of these technologies.
■ Greater Kennedy Plaza Working Group
Through a partnership with the City of Providence, local police, and private businesses,
RIPTA is participating in efforts to improve the Greater Kennedy Plaza area. These
efforts have helped to transform Kennedy Plaza into a more lively area with increased public activity, including farmer’s markets, artist programs and other events. In FY 2008, RIPTA also arranged for the installation of new welcome banners in the Plaza.
■ Enhanced Driver Safety Training
In FY 2008, RIPTA developed and implemented an updated training course program and manual for fixed-route drivers .
■ Commuter Resource Rhode Island (CRRI) – Program Expansion
CRRI provides free trip information to commuters and students throughout Rhode Island, offers programs to support commuters, and works closely with downtown businesses and major employers to encourage alternative transportation options for their employees’ commutes (e.g. carpooling, bus, discounted carpool parking, etc.). In FY 2008, CCRI developed an informational brochure on the State’s new Parking Cash Out Program, which requires major employers to offer a RIPTA transit pass in lieu of parking benefits, and “enrolled” Blue Cross/Blue Shield RI and GTECH in this program. CRRI also achieved the traffic reduction targets established in 2005 for the Keep Eddy Moving project when an estimated 2,200 cars (or 4400 trips) were diverted from the Eddy Street/ I-195 construction area. In addition, it enrolled more schools in School Pool, a CRRI program to encourage parents to carpool on school trips.
■ Expanded UPASS Program
This program, funded by participating colleges and universities, provides school-sponsored transit passes to students, faculty and/or staff. In FY 2008, Roger Williams University extended its UPASS participation to include all students, faculty and staff. RIPTA also transitioned seven of eight participating schools to swipe technology, providing for more accurate accounting of student use and improved billing.
■ Coordinated Plan for Public Transit - Human Services Transportation
In accordance with new federal legislation, Rhode Island coordinated and developed a local plan to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes. To assist with the development of this plan RIPTA established an advisory committee with state human services agencies to develop strategies and priorities for meeting these needs. A Coordinated Plan for Public Transit – Human Services Transportation in Rhode Island was published in February 2008, ensuring the continuity of certain federal funding programs in Rhode Island.