RIPTA to Hold Public Hearings on Proposed Fare Increases

The board of directors of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) voted yesterday to hold public hearings on proposed fare increases in all five Rhode Island counties on May 8, 2008, May 9, 2008 and May 12, 2008. The Authority announced that the proposed fare hikes are due to increases in the cost of fuel. The proposed fare increases would raise the base fare from $1.50 to $1.75, and impact the cost of cash transfers, RIPTIKs, 15-Ride Passes, Monthly Passes and ADA Fares. If approved by the RIPTA board, the fare increases would take effect July 1, 2008, which is the start of the 2009 fiscal year. The new fare, if approved, would apply to Monthly Passes for July that are purchased in June.

“ Unfortunately, we have to seek fare increases to compensate for some of the steep increases in the cost of fuel. Fuel costs have more than tripled since FY 2002 when we paid on average 87 cents for a gallon of fuel. Now we’re averaging close to $3.00 a gallon for the current fiscal year. Fare increases won’t absorb the full impact of the higher cost of fuel, but they will help, ” said RIPTA General Manager Alfred J. Moscola.

Proposed Fare Increases

The Authority is proposing to increase fares as follows:

Fare Media                          Current                       Proposed
Base Fare                              $1. 50                          $1. 75
Senior/Disabled (off peak)      $ .75                            $ .85
RIPTIKS (10)                         $15.00                          $17.50
15-RIDE Pass                         $20.00                          $23.00
Monthly Pass                          $45.00                          $55.00
ADA (RIde Program)               $3.00                            $3.50                                                             
Cash Transfer                        $.10                              $.50

Under state law the Authority must post the hearing schedule 30 days prior to holding any public hearings. With the board vote coming today, April 7th, the posting will appear in area newspapers on April 9th, enabling public hearings to begin on Thursday, May 8, 2008. All input from the public at the hearings will go to RIPTA’s board of directors in May and the board will vote on the fare increase proposal at its May 19, 2008 meeting.

Schedule for Public Hearings on Proposed Fare Increases

The public hearings will be held in Warwick, Providence, Barrington, Narragansett and Newport according to the following schedule:

Thursday, May 8, 2008
University of Rhode Island
Feinstein Providence Campus
Room 260
80 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8 pm

Friday, May 9, 2008
Warwick City Hall
Council Chambers
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8 pm

Friday, May 9, 2008
Narragansett Town Hall
Assembly Room
25 Fifth Avenue
Narragansett, RI 02882
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8 pm

Monday, May 12, 2008
Newport Pubic Library
Program Room
300 Spring Street
Newport, RI 02840
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8pm

Monday, May 12, 2008
Barrington Public Library
2nd Fl. Auditorium
281 County Road
Barrington, RI 02806
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8pm

A 72-hour notice is required for persons with sensory impairment requiring auxiliary aids at public hearings. To request this service, members of the public should contact the RIPTA ADA Coordinator at 401-784-9553 (TDD) or 800-745-5555 (RI Relay TDD).

For information on RIPTA services, passengers may call 781-9400.