By Tessa Roy, WPRO News
Commutes via Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) just got a little more exciting. On Friday, RIPTA unveiled the first of its new “art buses,” outfitted with colorful wrapping created by local artists from The Avenue Concept.
RIPTA’s Barbara Polichetti said the buses are also decorated inside with designs and messages. RIPTA and the artists hope they will inspire conversations about public art and emphasize the importance of public transportation.
“Hopefully it will provoke reactions about art and will also hopefully inspire people to try the bus and also, as we’ve said and as folks at The Avenue Concept have said, bring some smiles along the way,” Polichetti said.
A second art bus will be introduced and sent off on the roads over the weekend. Polichetti said RIPTA is sticking with just two for now, but there’s a good chance that commuters who want to ride one will get to as the buses will be on roads all across the state for a year.
