CTC E-Brief Banner 6

Continued reliance on gas tax could force RIPTA to consider reduced service and increased fares

 

The Coalition for Transportation Choices is deeply disappointed that House leadership did not follow through on a pledge to address RIPTA's longstanding and crippling deficit crisis. Last year, Speaker Fox pledged to make "creation of a predictable funding source for RIPTA" one of his top three priorities in this session of the General Assembly. RIPTA has demonstrated fiscal responsibility, has put its administrative house in order, and has embarked on scheduling efficiencies that improve the system. Still the perception that RIPTA is un-deserving hangs over the State House.  Employees, employers, tourists, those without private transportation suffer because of this misperception.

Despite having a proposal that has been well-vetted over the last several years, the General Assembly still does not recognize the declining gasoline tax that currently funds RIPTA as the problem. Several legislative commissions have suggested more stable funding sources that CTC used in our legislative proposals. The Coalition for Transportation Choices is concerned that RIPTA will be forced to continue its pattern of reducing service and increasing fares, which will undermine its ability to connect workers with jobs. If legislators continue to hear complaints from the constituents about potential cuts in RIPTA service, they need look no further than themselves for failing to push for sustainable funding to be included in the budget.

The Coalition's 2013 proposal, known as the O'Grady Bill, would have invested wisely and responsibly in both mass transit and road and bridge repair, helping to rebuild a strong and vibrant 21st century Rhode Island economy.
About the Coalition for Transportation Choices
The Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC) calls for a 21st century transportation system that enhances our economy and provides all Rhode Islanders with healthy transportation choices.

Rhode Island's 21st century transportation system must provide all people - employees, tourists, youth, elderly, able and disabled - with safe and dependable access to their community's opportunities for work, education, services, and recreation. The system should be considerably less dependent on cars and fossil fuels as well as efficient, effective and easy to use. It should minimize impacts to land, water and air and improve the health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders. Such a system should be sustained with predictable and consistent funding for operation and future growth.
 
CTC's work has enjoyed the support of
the Rhode Island Foundation,

The Prospect Hill Foundation, and 
Third Sector New England's Capacity Building Fund.
CTC Coalition For Transportation Choices Member Groups    

 

*AARP

*Amalgamated Transit Union

*American Lung Association in RI
* Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living
* Aquidneck Island Planning Commission
* Audubon Society of Rhode Island

* Bike Newport
* Blackstone Valley Partnership

* Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
* Blueways Alliance

* Brown emPower
* Childhood Lead Action Project
* City-State, the Urban Design Lab at RISD

* Clean Water Action
* Conservation Law Foundation

* Cornish Associates
* DOT Watch

* East Coast Greenway Alliance
* Ecolect
* Environment Council of Rhode Island

* Environment Rhode Island
* Environmental Justice League of RI
* Farm Fresh Rhode Island
* Goodwill Industries
* Grow Smart RI
* Head of the Bay Gateway
* LISC-RI
* Narragansett Bay Estuary Program

* Operating Engineers, Local 57
* Opportunities Unlimited, Inc.
* Pawtucket Foundation
* Providence Foundation
* Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
* The Providential Gardener
* Recycle-A-Bike
* RI Association of Railroad Passengers
* Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition
* RICOSH
* RI Consulting Engineers (RICE)
* RI Interfaith Power and Light
* RI Land Trust Council
* RI State Rehabilitation Council
* Rhode Island Student Climate Coalition

* RIPTA Riders Group
* Save The Bay
* SEIU, District 1199
* Sierra Club
* U.S. Open Cycling
* Working Rhode Island
* Youth in Action

* Zipcar