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Commission seeks PUC guidance on courtesy vehicles; charter-bus regulation and town fees flagged as gaps
Summary
Members asked the town attorney to consult the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) about regulating courtesy shuttles, and discussed how interstate charter buses that originate on the mainland operate on Block Island and whether town fees apply.
The commission discussed whether the town can regulate courtesy vehicles and shuttles and raised questions about charter buses that bring groups from the mainland.
Commissioners reported the town lawyer has contacted the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission for guidance on whether courtesy vehicle services fall under state regulation and, if not, whether the town can adopt local requirements. The lawyer's response was pending at the time of the meeting. Commissioners said the issue has been active for at least two years and that operators had previously been asked to contribute toward responses to mainland shuttle competition.
Separately, commissioners discussed charter buses that originate on the mainland and travel to Block Island. Participants noted that interstate charter services that originate off-island and merely visit Block Island are generally allowed to operate and that the commission's regulatory reach is limited when a bus does not originate service on the island. Commissioners said the town had in some cases evaluated fees or arrangements for mainland buses but that the regulatory and jurisdictional issues are complex and may involve interstate or PUC rules. They asked to add charter-bus regulations and related fee questions to a future agenda for further study.
No regulatory action was taken at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to keep the item on a future agenda and to share any PUC guidance when available.
