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2/27/2025
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Bills to shore up RIPTA supported at State House event
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 STATE HOUSE –– Legislators were backed by the Save RIPTA Coalition, broad alliance of community organizations, transit riders and bus drivers, at a State House event today calling for critical funding for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), which faces a $32.6 million operational deficit for FY 2026 that would force mass layoffs and service cuts if left unfilled.
The Save RIPTA Coalition is supporting a package of seven bills that will fund RIPTA in both the short- and long-term, via various new revenue streams:
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$32.6 Million Budget Allocation (2025-S 0342 ) Sponsored by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), this bill would close RIPTA’s FY26 operating deficit to prevent mass layoffs and service cuts through a general fund allocation.
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Rideshare Sales Tax Reallocation (2025-H 5405, 2025-S 0419) Sponsored by Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) and Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket), this bill would allocate the current 7% sales tax collected on all Uber/Lyft rides to RIPTA’s operational budget.
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Commuter Transportation Benefits Act (2025-H 5304) Sponsored by House Deputy Speaker Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence) and Sen. Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence), this bill would require any company with 500 or more employees within ¾ of a mile of a bus stop to provide bus passes to employees who request them in lieu of parking privileges, to generate more revenue for RIPTA via its Wave to Work program.
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Transit Master Plan Bond Referendum (2025-H 5470, 2025-S 0446) Sponsored by Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett) and Sen. Lammis J. Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), this bill proposes a bond for $100 million in capital improvements to voters in 2026 for the implementation of the Transit Master Plan. Capital assets would include infrastructure for high-capacity transit lines, bus stop improvements and safety, updated technology and more.
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Motor Fuel Tax – 30% Allocation to RIPTA (2025-H 5467, 2025-S 0046) Sponsored by Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) and Sen. Samuel D. Zurier (D-Dist. 3, Providence) this bill would increase the share of annual gas tax revenue allocated to RIPTA to 30% of the total share. When the gas tax was first set at 32.5 cents per gallon, RIPTA was allocated 9.75 cents per gallon, which was a 30% share. As the gas tax has increased to 38 cents per gallon due to inflation, RIPTA’s share has remained 9.75 cents per gallon, or about a 26% share.
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Motor Fuel Tax – Two-year Inflation Rate (2025-H 5468, 2025-S 0047) Sponsored by Representative Tanzi and Senator Zurier, this bill would change how the gas tax is impacted by inflation. Currently, the tax is only evaluated and increased against inflation every two years using the previous year’s inflation rate. The bill would adjust that so the increase would take into consideration the rate of inflation over the full two years, increasing the total amount of gas tax collected, and thus the amount RIPTA receives if the first bill passes.
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Rideshare Surcharge (2025-S 0092) Sponsored by Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence), this bill would introduce a 75-cent surcharge on all rideshare rides. Fifty percent of the surcharge collections would be deposited in a restricted account to be used for street infrastructure improvements in the municipality where the fare originated, and 50% of the surcharge collections would be deposited in a restricted account to be used as funding for RIPTA.
Unless the current budget deficit of $32.6 million is addressed, RIPTA will likely need to make major service cuts that will be detrimental to so many Rhode Islanders who depend on public transportation.
“We made progress last year but we need to continue to protect RIPTA. A robust, accessible public transportation system is vital to so many Rhode Islanders who need and rely on it to live their lives. Our communities deserve better! They deserve, from the state, a complete investment in a public transit system, to ensure they can go to work, school, the store, medical appointments and the ability to enjoy all that Rhode Island has to offer for themselves and their families,” said Representative Alzate.
Senator McKenney said, “For so long, public transit in this state has not been properly funded or put as a priority for our communities; that needs to end today. We need to invest in real transit options for all Rhode Islanders, not just because we have to but because we choose it as a real viable transit option for all.”
“Public transit in Rhode Island has suffered from lack of investment for decades,” said Senator Vargas. “A convenient and robust public transit system with modern infrastructure and connections between transit modes is absolutely pivotal to enabling our communities and our economy to flourish. We must invest in RIPTA to enable it to be the strong public transit system Rhode Islanders need and deserve.”
“RIPTA is a vital part of our democratic infrastructure in Rhode Island. It connects our communities in ways every Rhode Islander supports. That’s why the Rhode Island AFL-CIO supports increased funding for RIPTA to not just preserve but expand services,” said Patrick Crowley, President of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
Following a $15 million investment from the General Assembly last year, RIPTA was able to resolve its driver shortage, increasing service reliability and growing the workforce. Now, those positive gains are at risk.
President/Business Agent Walter Melillo of the ATU Local 618/618A said, “Funding for RIPTA is essential to keeping our transit system moving forward. This will allow us to continue the service that many people depend on daily, and preserve hundreds of good-paying jobs for the hard working drivers and staff at RIPTA.”
If this year’s deficit is not filled, RIPTA may be forced to lay off about a third of its workforce.
A reliable public transportation system is a fundamental necessity for youth to get to school, and for seniors, individuals with disabilities, people with low incomes who can’t afford a car, new arrivals, and those who would rather take a ride than contribute to our chronic traffic, parking, and pollution issues. Rhode Island has the foundation of a wonderful statewide bus system, but it has suffered from disinvestment and neglect for many years.
Lounay Oliver Camacho, a youth advocate with Young Voices and student at Mt. Pleasant High School, said, “Without the bus, my peers and I would not be able to go to school. We would miss out on job opportunities, afterschool programs, and even having fun with friends.”
“RIPTA is a vital service for thousands of Rhode Island residents,” added Ray Gagne, Director of the Rhode Island Organizing Project. “Our elderly and disabled members depend upon RIPTA for their daily transportation needs. Inaction will be felt for generations if we allow public transportation to languish at this critical moment.”
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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