SAVE RIPTA

Once again, it’s up to us to Save RIPTA

We, the SAVE RIPTA coalition, are extremely disappointed that Governor McKee’s proposed FY2026 budget allocates no investment in RIPTA, leaving the agency with a $32.6 million deficit that will force mass layoffs of employees and leave bus riders stranded across the state.

The Governors of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania recently made historic investments in public transportation to improve their economies, reduce carbon emissions, and demonstrate their commitments to social equity. But here in Rhode Island, Governor McKee is once again locked into a small-town mindset that cannot advance our state into the future, let alone meet his own administration’s goals of increasing household incomes and improving school attendance.

Our communities deserve elected leaders who care about vital services that so many rely on to get to school, work, appointments and all their everyday needs. We look forward to working with the leadership in the General Assembly to identify funding sources to ensure RIPTA can meet the needs of Rhode Islanders, at this critical moment for our economy and climate.

Tell your elected leaders to Save RIPTA this session.

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2025 Save RIPTA Legislative Package

RIPTA faces a $32.6 million operational deficit for FY 2026 that would force mass layoffs and service cuts if left unfilled. To combat this funding deficit, the Save RIPTA coalition will announce a package of seven bills that will fund RIPTA in both the short- and long-term, via various new revenue streams:

$32.6 Million Budget Allocation (Rep. Alzate H6020 / Sen. McKenney S342)

Closes RIPTA’s FY26 operating deficit to prevent mass layoffs and service cuts.

Rideshare Sales Tax Reallocation (Rep. Morales H5405 / Sen. Britto S419)

Allocates the current 7% sales tax collected on all Uber/Lyft rides to RIPTA’s operational budget. Estimated annual revenue: $10-$15M.

Commuter Transportation Benefits Act (Deputy Speaker Hull H5304 / Sen. Bissaillon S382)

Requires any company with 500 or more employees to provide bus passes to employees as a pre-tax transportation fringe benefit, to generate more revenue for RIPTA via its Wave to Work program. Estimated annual revenue TBD.

Transit Master Plan Bond Referenda (Rep. Tanzi H5470 / Sen. Vargas S446)

Puts forward a bond for $100M Capital Improvements for Implementation of the Transit Master Plan. Capital assets would include infrastructure for high capacity transit lines, bus stop improvements and safety, updated technology, and more.

Motor Fuel Tax – 30% Allocation to RIPTA (Rep. Stewart H5467 / Sen. Zurier S46)

Increases the share of annual gas tax revenue allocated to RIPTA to 30% of the total share. When the gas tax was first set at 32.5 cents per gallon, RIPTA was allocated 9.75 cents per gallon, which was a 30% share. As the gas tax has increased to 38 cents per gallon due to inflation, RIPTA’s share has remained 9.75 cents per gallon, or about a 26% share.

Motor Fuel Tax – Two-year Inflation Rate (Rep. Tanzi H5468 / Sen. Zurier S47)

Would change how the gas tax is impacted by inflation. Currently, the tax is only evaluated and increased against inflation every two years using the previous year’s inflation rate. The bill would adjust that so the increase would take into consideration the rate of inflation over the full two years, increasing the total amount of gas tax collected, and thus the amount RIPTA receives if the first bill passes.

Rideshare Surcharge (Sen. Kallman S92) 

Would introduce a 75 cent surcharge on all Uber/Lyft rides. Fifty percent (50%) of the surcharge collections would be deposited in a restricted account to be used for street infrastructure improvements in the municipality where the fare originated, and fifty percent (50%) of the surcharge collections would be deposited in a restricted account to be used as funding for RIPTA.

Recent news coverage:

Check out our video from the 2024 Session highlighting the year’s campaign!

Public transportation is a racial and economic justice issue. According to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s 2019 State of the System Report, a majority of RIPTA riders (53%) identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), even though they represent just 14% of the state’s overall population per the U.S. Census.  Also according to the State of the System Report, 80% of RIPTA’s existing ridership has a household income of less than $35,000 annually and 39% have a household income of less than $10,000 annually.  The highest percentage of Rhode Islanders without access to a private vehicle live in the urban communities of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, North Providence, Woonsocket, Cranston, Warwick, West Warwick and Newport. 81% of RIPTA riders do not own a vehicle.

As we grapple with Washington Bridge induced congestion and our unprecedented climate crisis, there has never been a more urgent time for an increased, dedicated revenue source to sustain and expand a public transportation system that the economy, environment, and residents of Rhode Island require and deserve.

The Save RIPTA Coalition needs YOUR action to save and expand RIPTA. Please join PVD Streets mailing list, follow the Providence Streets Coalition or follow @SaveRIPTA for future updates and action alerts.

Save RIPTA Coalition

The Save RIPTA is a broad coalition of community organizations, labor unions, legislative champions and everyday Rhode Islanders who are calling upon our state leaders to save and expand RIPTA in our next state budget. Any group that is supportive of this mission can join – there is no set time requirement. Some, but not all members are also partners of the Providence Streets Coalition. The Save RIPTA Coalition includes:

Labor Unions/Groups:

  • RI AFL-CIO
  • Amalgamated Transit Union Local 618
  • Carpenters Local 330
  • SEIU Local 1199
  • Rhode Island Committee on Occupational Safety and Health

Community Organizations:

  • Rhode Island Transit Riders
  • Progreso Latino
  • Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty
  • Climate Jobs Rhode Island
  • Central Providence Opportunities – Health Equity Zone
  • Providence Student Union
  • Conservation Law Foundation
  • Economic Progress Institute
  • Community Libraries of Providence
  • Providence Preservation Society
  • Climate Action Rhode Island
  • Groundwork Rhode Island
  • Providence Bike Collective
  • Haus of Codec
  • West Broadway Neighborhood Association
  • Trinity Square Together
  • Elmwood Neighborhood Association
  • South Elmwood Neighborhood Association
  • Washington Park Association
  • Rhode Island Environmental Education Association
  • Rhode Island Organizing Project
  • Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers
  • Young Voices Rhode Island

Contact us: Please get in touch with Nicole if you want to join or get involved in the campaign!

Providence Streets Coalition is a registered 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Your support allows our grassroots advocacy to have an even bigger impact across Rhode Island. Consider making a gift today. Thank you!