Council asks Economic Development Committee to study employee shuttle feasibility

The council voted 5–0 to refer to the Economic Development Committee a study on the feasibility of establishing a shuttle system to serve Narragansett residents and employees. The motion followed a report that last summer’s pilot involved two businesses that bore the initial cost and yielded limited business participation, and the council asked the EDC to examine funding models and practical logistics with the goal of serving employees first.

The motion’s mover described prior effort as a case study and said local businesses and the school department had been involved. The council chair and others said the goal is to reduce parking pressure in key areas and to create reliable employee transportation while avoiding a town‑funded subsidy model that burdens residents. “We’re passing this off to the economic development committee to study feasibility, come up with an approximate cost,” the chair said, asking for a plan that encourages private contributions and limited town exposure. The council asked the EDC to report back, with a scheduled EDC meeting already planned to discuss the issue on August 4.