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Warren council urges state to find funding that avoids proposed RIPTA service cuts
Summary
The council unanimously passed a resolution asking Governor Daniel J. McKee and state leaders to secure sufficient funding to avoid proposed service reductions to RIPTA routes that serve Warren and the East Bay. Councilors cited access to work, health care and economic impacts if transit frequency is reduced.
The Warren Town Council voted to request that Governor Daniel J. McKee and state officials commit a reliable funding solution to prevent proposed cuts to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). The resolution cites proposed reductions to Route 60/60X (Providence–Newport corridor) and the elimination of certain trips on Route 61 X serving Tiverton and the East Bay as having potentially “devastating” local effects.
Councilors argued the reductions would harm residents who rely on public transit for work, medical appointments and education; worsen roadway congestion; and impair economic development tied to transit access. Several council members also urged RIPTA to pursue administrative efficiencies — for example, deploying smaller vehicles on lightly used runs — but said cuts remain a blunt instrument that can trigger a downward spiral of ridership loss.
An amendment in the meeting corrected a route number citation from 60X to 61X where appropriate. After discussion, the council passed the resolution by voice vote and directed that it be sent to the governor and relevant state leaders and agencies.
