Archives For RIPTA

Providence streetcar back on track

Jef Nickerson —  June 11, 2013 — 21 Comments

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Rendering of proposed Providence Streetcar at Empire Street.

In late 2009 then Mayor David Cicilline unveiled the Metro Transit Study, calling for the return of streetcars to Providence. In the intervening years, the Core Connector study has looked at the possibilities for doing just that, through studies and public meetings. A locally preferred alternative route connecting the East Side with the Hospitals area in Upper South Providence has been approved by RIPTA.

Then, we entered our fiscal emergency and the streetcar was put on the back burner.

In March of this year, Mayor Taveras gave his Economic Report and expressed his support for seeing the streetcar project continue. Last week, the City of Providence Department of Planning and Development applied for a Federal TIGER grant to partially fund the streetcar project.

The TIGER Grant Application calls for $39 million in federal funds to use towards the $114 million project.

The grant states the remainder of the project would be funded by City TIF Bonds ($54.32 M), RI Capital Plan funds ($15 M), RIPTA CMAQ funds ($5.25 M), and a RIDOT land transfer ($0.80 M).

Operating funds and debt service totaling $6.93 million per year would be funded by the TIF; an Assessment District; parking revenues; fares (~$2), sponsorships, and advertising revenues; and a three year CMAQ subsidy.

The TIGER Grant application included letters of support from RIPTA, the RI Convention Center, Brown University, the College Hill and Jewelry District neighborhood associations, the Providence Foundation, Grow Smart RI, AARP of Rhode Island, the Sierra Club of Rhode Island, House Speaker Gordon Fox, and others.

If the City receives the TIGER funding, construction could begin as early as 2015 following completion of design and environmental revue, with service commencing in 2017.

See Also:

1The Governor would rather we build a rotary and by-pass road in Warwick.
2Yes, that’s me from 2011.

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Rapid bus, other initiatives, coming to RIPTA

Jef Nickerson —  June 11, 2013 — 11 Comments

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RIPTA CEO Raymond Studley speaking at a June 10th press conference in Burnside Park.

Yesterday, RIPTA held a press conference in Burnside Park to announce transportation initiatives scheduled to take effect over the next year.

Changes include route changes and bus stop realignment resulting from the Comprehensive Operational Analysis, Rapid bus service on Routes 11 and 99, real time schedule information, and more.

Projects highlighted by RIPTA:

SUMMER 2013

Bus Stop Realignment Project

The Bus Stop Realignment Project launches this summer and will consolidate bus stops statewide. RIPTA will be removing and moving bus stops to meet newly adopted guidelines. Fewer stops equal faster buses that can operate on a more reliable schedule. The Bus Stop Realignment Project will reduce energy consumption and emissions, while reducing operating and maintenance costs.

Roof Replacement/Solar Panel Project

This summer, RIPTA will complete the Roof Replacement/Solar Panel project at the Transportation Building located at 269 Melrose Street, Providence. Funds for the project are a combination of Federal ARRA funds, a competitive Federal grant for green investments, funds from the Attorney General’s settlement of an environmental lawsuit, and RIPTA revolving loan funds. The Authority expects to save $30,000 annually as a user of solar energy.

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RFP for art bus shelters

gcpvd —  June 11, 2013 — Leave a comment

art-in-transitThe City and RIPTA are requesting proposals for bus shelter art installations along the North Main and Broad Street R-Line rapid bus route.

Details on the RFP:

The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Department of Planning and Development in partnership with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), invite artists and artist/fabricator teams to submit their qualifications and concepts for art panels and seating to be included in bus shelters along our city’s Broad and North Main Street transit corridors. This is a first of its kind project for the City of Providence and we enthusiastically await artist response.

A total of seventeen sites along these two bus routes will receive art installations as a result of this program and call for art. Stipends awarded to selected artists will range from $8,000 to $23,000 for concept, fabrication, and installation of the bus shelter and seating elements. Past experience in fabrication and public art design is a requirement for this RFP. Artists without such a background are encouraged to team up with the appropriate 3D artists and fabricators.

All proposals must be received by July 8, 2013, 4pm

Visit the City’s website for links to the required documents.

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Don’t Slash RIPTA

Via: Rhode Island Coalition for Transportation Choices

Posted by gcpvd on June 5, 2013 In Transportation, Video , , , ,
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RIPTA Air Quality Alert Day – Friday, May 31, 2013

gcpvd —  May 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

air-alert-2013-0531

It was so much fun today, let’s do it again tomorrow!

RIPTA Air Quality Alert Day tomorrow, May 31, 2013. All RIPTA regular fixed-routes – excluding special services – will be free.

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RIPTA Air Quality Alert Day – Thursday, May 30, 2013

gcpvd —  May 29, 2013 — Leave a comment

ripta-air-alert-05-30-2013-1

Here we go summer…

RIPTA Air Quality Alert Day tomorrow, May 30, 2013. All RIPTA regular fixed-routes – excluding special services – will be free.

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Bike to Work Day: RIPTA Rack n’ Ride

Jef Nickerson —  May 17, 2013 — Leave a comment

This morning at Bike to Work Day, Peter from RIPTA showed us how the Rack n’ Ride on the buses works.

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Video: Kennedy Plaza fly through

Jef Nickerson —  May 13, 2013 — 2 Comments

This video rendering shows what the vision for Greater Kennedy Plaza could look like as you move through it.

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A Greater Kennedy Plaza

Jef Nickerson —  April 18, 2013 — 28 Comments

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Rendering from Union Studio Architects

Update (Apr. 22): Union Studio News: Greater Kennedy Plaza

The Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy (DPPC) is set to unveil plans for the transformation of Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence this evening.

Stakeholders in the downtown area including the City, the Parks Department, RIPTA, area businesses and universities, and others have been working on reimagining the plaza for the last 6 years. Over the past 12 months, through an “Our Towns” grant from the NEA, Union Studio Architects has led the process of finalizing that vision.

Among other improvements to be unveiled this evening, the plan calls for improving the bus operations at the heart of the plaza, Kennedy Plaza proper if you will. Through their on-going Comprehensive Operational Analysis, RIPTA has determined that schedule improvements will allow them to reduce the number of berths to 10. These 10 berths can be relocated to the edges of the plaza along Washington and Fulton Streets, allowing the bus-only lanes in the middle of the plaza to be filled in and turned to other public uses. Amy Pettine, RIPTA’s director of planning and marketing told The Providence Journal, “It will be a better experience for riders and a better environment.”

Improvements throughout the Greater Kennedy Plaza area (Biltmore Park, the Skating Center, Burnside Park, and the area from City Hall to the Court House) which will be fully released to the public tomorrow, include better integrating the Skating Center to the wider area allowing for better off-season (summer) use, raised roadways allowing for better pedestrian connectivity throughout the plaza and calming automobile traffic, and a Civic Plaza that DPPC Executive Director Cliff Wood calls a “front porch for City Hall.”

Reconfiguration of the bus stops and improvements infront of City Hall may be completed in 2014. Federal money the City has for roadway improvements would go toward this initial phase. This money is from the Circulator Project, which will be reconfiguring roadways between LaSalle and Emmet Squares this year. Wood told the Providence Journal that the entire project may cost as much as $20 million and depending on fundraising, could take 4 years to realize.

We’ll publish further specifics on the Kennedy Plaza plan tomorrow.

Full Disclosure: I am a member of the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy Board.

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RIPTA to hold public hearings on service changes – May 29 – June 6, 2013

gcpvd —  April 17, 2013 — 1 Comment

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RIPTA to Hold Public Hearings on Proposed Service Changes Statewide

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will hold public hearings on proposed service changes in all five Rhode Island counties on May 29th, May 30th, June 3rd, June 4th, June 5th, and June 6th. The Authority announced that the proposed changes in service statewide are a result of RIPTA’s ongoing Comprehensive Operational Analysis.

The Authority announced that the proposed changes in service statewide are part of RIPTA’s Comprehensive Operational Analysis. These changes include proposed new routes and express services, scheduling improvements to better coordinate routes operating in the same corridor, modified route alignments, frequency changes to better match service with demand, and the discontinuation of certain routes and route segments.

The Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) is a statewide review of transit services. The study has undertaken a detailed review process to identify where people live and work, how each bus route is performing today, and where changes might possibly be made to better serve riders. Proposed changes are designed to work within RIPTA’s existing budget, and the intent is to direct transit resources where they would be most effective.

“RIPTA’s staff and board of directors have appreciated the comments we have already received from our customers regarding proposed changes resulting from the Comprehensive Operational Analysis that we have undertaken,” said Mayor Scott Avedisian, chairman of RIPTA’s Board of Directors. “We certainly welcome additional comments and encourage residents to attend the public hearings that have been scheduled throughout Rhode Island in the next several months.”

The proposed changes would affect 56 regular bus routes and all Park and Ride service. Details on the proposed changes are available at RIPTA.com. Additionally, because ADA service is offered within a ¾ mile corridor of fixed-route service, the paratransit ADA service that RIPTA provides through the RIde Program would be adjusted to reflect the fixed-route changes.

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To learn more about the COA, please visit the project website at RIPTA.com/featured-project

A 72-hour notice is required for persons with sensory impairment requiring auxiliary aids at public hearings. To request this service, members of the public should contact the RIPTA ADA Coordinator at 401-784-9553 (TDD) or 800-745-5555 (RI Relay TDD).

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