Keep it moving Rhode Island!
Our latest event focused on Transit in Rhode Island was another smashing success! I’m sure there’s a pun in there about us all getting on the same metaphorical bus to move Rhode Island forward, but you’ll have to fill in that blank for me because I am simply Dad-Joked out. It’s too hot for that—89 degrees today! In May! Another sobering indication that we need to reduce our use of fossil fuels wherever possible. You know a great way to do that? Taking the bus! Or even better—a bike.
To help us do that, 20-year+ veteran advocate John Flaherty with Grow Smart RI joined us to share his expertise. Here are a few key takeaways:
In recent years Rhode Island has seen a significant increase of interest in non-car transit options. This is due to rising costs (the cost of owning and maintaining a car is currently around $12,000 a year and that’s only going up), frustrations with road maintenance such as the Washington Bridge fiasco, changing social mores in response to a climate change, and perhaps an increased interest in taking care of those who rely on public transit to get to work, the doctor, or pick up their kids.
And public transit is not just a nice idea for expanding mobility choices and being mindful of global warming—it also affects housing development, which is another crisis facing our state. This approach is called Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The idea is: build more housing in proximity to robust transit and it becomes easier and more efficient to achieve our state’s ambitious housing goals without requiring expensive urban parking. More people in the community revitalizes our Main Street districts and stimulates economic growth and healthy, vibrant and walkable places. The TOD theory was proven in the success case of Pawtucket/Central Falls, where the recently completed transit center increased access to rail and bus service and resulted in increased housing and economic investment in the surrounding community [source]. Successes like Pawtucket/Central Falls are also happening in North Kingstown, where new housing is being developed by the Wickford Junction Transit Hub, in City Centre Warwick, Main Street Woonsocket and in East Providence, where the City has designated four zoning districts to accommodate more housing near transit.
As with all policy, execution depends on budget allocation. Unfortunately, increasing the flow of money to public transit requires political will, and that has not kept pace with the will of the public. You can see the disparity reflected in the numbers. In 2024 around 70% of Rhode Islanders supported increasing public transit [source, pg 2]. In the current 10-year state transportation budget RIPTA, the state’s bus system, has been underfunded, constituting just 13% of planned spending. Only around 3% of funds is allocated to building bike infrastructure. The lion’s share of our money goes to, you guessed it, car infrastructure. The disparity between percent budgeted for public transit and biking (16%) and percent of the public who want it (70%), combined with mismanagement of roads and bridges (hello Washington Bridge collapse) makes this situation frustrating on multiple fronts.
Luckily, dedicated advocates like John have been working for years to develop policy recommendations that are ready to launch as soon as we reach a critical mass of good will to make it happen. Rhode Island has a Transit Master Plan which lays out a blueprint and goals for transit policy. Beyond hand-to-mouth funding that keeps RIPTA afloat year-to-year, Grow Smart has proposed an adequate and sustainable ‘value-capture’ funding model that grows over time to keep up with inflation. We also have a Statewide Bicycle Mobility Plan and a TOD program.
So how can you help?
Support groups such as Providence Streets Network and Grow Smart RI. They conduct research, make policy recommendations, and host educational events. Sign up for their mailing lists to get involved.
Provide written or oral testimony in support of transit-specific legislation.
Talk to your representative regularly about transit to emphasize the importance of this issue (and maybe challenge your rep if they’re not listening…I’ll never skip a chance to say again that you, yes YOU can run for office!)
Start a BPAC (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocacy Committee) for your town, or join one if it already exists.
Check if your municipality has a Safety Action Plan. The state will grant money to communities to implement Safety Action Plans and these plans often involve greater investment in biking and walking. Because, it turns out that cars—literal tons of high speed metal barreling through our towns—are not exactly the safest transit option. Check if your town has a SAP and how it is being implemented. Then let your town government know you want transit options to be a part of it. Get creative—this could be protected bike lanes, or it could be something less obvious like beautifying a local bus stop so it’s a more pleasant (and safe) alternative to driving.
There is also money allocated to communities in the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). You can see what projects might be funded in your community and work with your municipal government to influence the project execution. Reference the STIP PDF, or check out this interactive map version.
Advocate in your community for Complete Street plans and Vision Zero policies.
Here in Rhode Island we are on the road to better transit, but there’s a long way to go. The good news is we the people have power to sway which direction we take. Keep showing up, tuning in, and keep the faith! See you at the next meeting!