PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 64-11 last Thursday to approve a $9.2 billion 2018 state budget. Among the initiatives included in the budget bill is the reinstatement of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority no-fare pass program for low-income elderly and disabled riders, a service provided through state funds that has received outspoken support from Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Rhode Island’s Catholic pastors and the interfaith community.
“I am very pleased to see that funding for bus transportation for the elderly and the disabled has been included in the new state budget,” said Bishop Tobin. “This is extremely important for many residents of Rhode Island. I am grateful to all those who have supported this initiative.”
The no-fare pass program, which allowed qualifying elderly and disabled residents to ride public transportation free of charge, was eliminated and replaced with a reduced-fare pass program due to budget shortages on February 1. The program had existed for more than 40 years to serve the state’s low-income elderly and disabled residents, many of whom depended on the pass to access basic services like doctor’s appointments, meal programs and community centers.
An article published by Rhode Island Catholic in April found that following February 1, many social service organizations in regions that depend on RIPTA transportation, including parish-based ministries and diocesan satellite offices, saw a sharp decline in attendance at meal sites and other programs. Many providers attributed the change to a lack of accessible transportation for those who had previously accessed their services using a no-fare pass.
“Just last week we had a client at the [Emmanuel House] shelter who couldn’t go to a doctor’s appointment because he couldn’t afford the bus ride,” said James Jahnz, emergency services coordinator for Diocese of Providence, during a phone interview Monday. “And that’s on top of what we’ve known, what’s been well-reported, at the soup kitchens and the food pantries. The numbers are down. That was a clear correlation of people who couldn’t get to these programs, and they were going hungry.”
The current budget bill restores the no-fare pass program for two years at a cost of $5 million per year beginning July 1 and requests that the administration find a permanent solution for future funding. Though the budget also requires Senate approval, the Senate, led by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, indicated its support for the program last week by passing separate legislation to reinstate the no-fare pass program.
“Those living in poverty must have access to public transportation and we are grateful to Senate President Ruggerio for his leadership on this issue,” said Father Bernard Healey, director of the Rhode Island Catholic Conference.
Senator Harold Metts (D-Providence), who served as co-sponsor of the legislation, emphasized the importance of the transportation program for low-income individuals who are already among the state’s most vulnerable residents.
“The service provided by RIPTA is critical for the well-being of those who rely on the no-fare system,” he said in a statement. “The inability to utilize RIPTA is leaving individuals feeling isolated, and loneliness impacts their emotional and physical health.”
Other initiatives prioritized by the budget bill include the elimination of a $134 million deficit, a six-year phase-out of the motor vehicle excise tax, an increase in the minimum wage and a four-year pilot program to provide free tuition at the Community College of Rhode Island, a compromise on Governor Gina Raimondo’s original proposal to provide two years of free tuition at all Rhode Island public colleges.
Representatives from both sides of the political spectrum criticized the bill’s planned budget cuts, including a $25 million cut in general government spending. House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan (R-Coventry, Warwick and West Warwick) voted against the bill, contending the numbers in the budget do not add up and the plan will contribute to a weakened economy.
“I can’t vote for article one because it’s built on a hope and a prayer,” she said during Thursday’s House session as recorded by the General Assembly’s Capitol TV. “Inside is $25 million in unspecified savings that the governor is supposed to produce. She promised that in 2017, too, and she didn’t produce. So we basically have an unbalanced budget in front of us.”
As of press time Tuesday, the 2018 budget bill had not yet been scheduled for its final vote on the Senate floor but was expected to pass on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.
