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7/31/2025
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Rep. Morales opposes RIPTA service cuts, urges community to make its voice heard
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STATE HOUSE — Rep. David Morales today voiced his opposition to service cuts proposed by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and urged state leaders to keep working on solutions to close RIPTA’s deficit.
“In enacted, these sweeping cuts to RIPTA services will strand workers, students and seniors across Rhode Island. In my own district these cuts would eliminate all weekend and holiday service on Route 6 to Roger Williams Park and significantly reduce the frequency of weekday and weekend service on Route 56,” said Representative Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence). “As a state, we need to find different solutions to close this deficit. In June, Governor McKee said publicly that there exists $15 million in surplus funds in the state budget. I urge the governor to use some of this surplus to fund RIPTA’s shortfall and avoid these cuts. If he will not, I support all options, including returning early to the General Assembly in the fall to fully-fund RIPTA. Public transit is a public good that must be protected.”
RIPTA will hold two meetings on Monday, Aug. 4 at the Providence Foundation at 30 Exchange Terrace, one from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and one from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Representative Morales urges residents who will be affected by these cuts to show up and make their voices heard.
For those who live outside of Providence, additional meetings will continue statewide through Aug. 6. A full schedule can be found on RIPTA’s website.
Those who are unable to attend the meetings in person can submit comments via email, mail or phone by Aug. 6. Rhode Islanders may send comments to RIPTA, Office of the CEO, 705 Elmwood Ave., Providence, RI, 02907, email them to marketing@ripta.com or call (401) 784-9500 ext. 1101
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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