RIPTA ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FY 2006
- Provided our 40th year of statewide public transit service.
- Secured, with the assistance of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation, a major increase in federal funding for capital projects for fiscal years 2006 through 2009.
- Increased total ridership by 11.6% over the previous year. RIPTA ridership climbed from 21,975,506 in FY 2005 to 24,531,965 in FY 2006.
- Put 36 new low-floor, clean diesel buses that meet 2007 EPA emissions standards into service on our statewide fixed-route system and retired an equivalent number of buses that had exceeded the industry standard of a 12-year useful life.
- Completed installation of diesel particulate filters in 25 of the Authority’s older buses. Used in conjunction with ultra low sulfur fuel and advanced engine technology, diesel particulate filters provide significant benefits in reducing regional emissions.
- Completely rehabilitated seven (7) older buses (six 1998 buses and one 1999 bus) to improve service reliability. Each was outfitted with a new drive train, a new undercarriage and a fully rehabbed interior.
- Launched Keep Eddy Moving, in collaboration with the RI Department of Transportation, in order to mitigate congestion in the Eddy Street area due to construction associated with the relocation of I-195.
- Relocated RIPTA’s Providence/Newport ferry service dock to Conley’s Wharf at Providence Piers (180 Allens Avenue), eliminating need to navigate Hurricane Barrier and providing ferry customers with ample 7 day a week parking.
- Completed a $500,000 renovation to the Newport Gateway Visitor’s Center.
- Conducted master planning and completed evaluation of costs and benefits to construct a new Paratransit Operations and Support Center at Elmwood to meet major operational needs, including the construction of indoor bus storage to limit overnight bus idling in compliance with the RI Anti-Idling Act.
- Added two more Park n’ Ride service lots (Barrington Police Cove and West Warwick, Arctic municipal lot) to provide a total of 26 statewide lots.
- Completed an evaluation of alternative electronic fare collection systems and prepared bid documents to award a contract to install a new system in FY 2007.
- Performed a major update of the course materials used to train Paratransit/Flex drivers in standard operating and safety procedures.