BIPTA is focused on improving public transportation in Rhode Island. To do so, we work with various stakeholders from community groups to ATU 618 (the bus drivers' union) and even RIPTA itself. Last semester we focused on Kennedy Plaza and the potentially harmful impacts of moving the bus station elsewhere. For the upcoming year, we will be trying to find out how to make RIPTA fare-free and improve bus stop quality. Our goals are to work with RIPTA on the statewide bus stop inventory, analyze the viability and benefits of a fare-free policy for RIPTA and alternative funding sources to reliably improve service, and continue to monitor the potential removal of Kennedy Plaza for impacts on riders and the Providence community.

You can find our report on assessing novel funding mechanisms for RIPTA here.