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1/3/2018
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Ucci announces restoration of Simmonsville Ave. RIPTA route
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Stephen R. Ucci today announced that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has agreed to reinstate bus service on Simmonsville Avenue in Johnston on at least a trial basis.
Beginning Jan. 13, RIPTA’s Route 19 will run along Atwood Avenue and Simmonsville Avenue instead of Plainfield Street during some scheduled daily trips. Other scheduled trips will remain on the current route, which stays on Plainfield Street to access Walmart in Johnston. Riders should consult RIPTA’s schedules at ripta.com for a route map and specific schedules of when the bus will take each route.
Representative Ucci has been meeting with residents at Simmons Village on Simmonsville Avenue and RIPTA officials for about 18 months in an effort to restore Simmonsville Avenue bus service, which was cut several years ago. The result was an agreement to restore the service for some daily runs for six months, at which time RIPTA will evaluate the ridership and determine whether to sustain, expand or eliminate that part of the route.
The Simmonsville Avenue leg of the route will feature a bus stop at the entrance to Simmons Village, where residents have sought restoration of that part of the route ever since it was eliminated.
“For those who rely on the bus for all transportation, having a route that goes by their home makes a tremendous difference to their quality of life. I’m very grateful that RIPTA was able to accommodate this request, which will significantly improve the lives of many people who live at Simmons Village and other places along the route. I’d like to encourage everyone in the area to take full advantage of the service, both because the bus is an affordable way to get around Rhode Island and because ridership will determine whether the route will be made permanent,” said Representative Ucci (D-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston).
Representative Ucci thanked Mayor Joseph M. Polisena, Senator Frank Lombardo III, Councilman Richard J. DelFino III, Christine Jordan from Picerne Properties, Brooks Almonte at RIPTA and Lynn Farkas, a resident at Simmons Village, for their efforts in advocating for the route change.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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