by Lexi Kriss, WPRO
Governor Raimondo joined the Dan Yorke Show on Tuesday to highlight her office’s latest initiative to bulster job creation in Rhode Island. She says the program will help smaller companies “get into more high tech manufacturing” through the purchase of new equipment and high level skill training.
Dan also asked Governor Raimondo about changes to the RIPTA fare structure. There was a fare increase from free of charge for elderly riders and riders with disabilities to .50c per ride.
The Providence Journal reported yesterday that some shelters have experienced a decreased number of community members coming in for meals since the fair change on January 1st. Riders who utilized the free program also reported attending fewer doctors appointments due to the fare increase.
In order to return to the free fare offering, Governor Raimondo told Dan, “We do have to do a better job of getting ridership up because if there’s more ridership, people paying, we can obviously help the elderly and folks that need to get to the doctors.”
Dan offered that perhaps RIPTA needs marketing improvements to increase ridership. Governor Raimondo responded, “We need to do a better job of marketing,making the routes easier.”
Dan suggested that Governor Raimondo ride the bus to work with a State trooper. Perhaps Rhode Islanders will see the Governor riding RIPTA soon.
Listen to the full podcast here:
