Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

TRANSITSTRATEGIES(continued)T.3.qT.3.rT.3.sT.3.tT.3.uT.3.vT.3.wT.3.xT.3.yT.3.zProvide multilingual (Spanish and predominant Southeast Asian languages) printed transit information on buses, and at bus stops andbusinesses along bus routes.Provide cultural sensitivity and customer service training for RIPTA drivers and other customer care personnel. Require drivers toannounce stops and route information. Provide comments cards for RIPTA customer feedback.Assure that transit services consider the special needs of disabled and elderly customers and support the goal of independent living.Regularly inspect to insure the operability of lifts for handicapped accessibility on buses. Enforce restricted seating for elderly andhandicapped riders.Strive to make transit use affordable for low-income residents. Advertise existing programs that benefit economically disadvantagedresidents. Develop more convenient options for Rite Care recipients to access free bus passes. Consider a transportation fund toassist income- eligible individuals with the cost of bus passes.Establish a regular review schedule for existing bus routes, using performance measures. Eliminate or modify poorly performingroutes.Review all transportation services available in the state and address duplication of efforts, including equipment. Services include:fixed-route transit, RIde paratransit services, other paratransit operations (including municipal), school buses (including specialeducation), Head Start, day care, and recreational programs.Reevaluate all aspects of parking. Expand alternative means of transportation to colleges and universities. Reduce the availability offree and/or low-cost parking available on or near campuses.Keep up with repair and scheduled replacement of buses, maintenance vehicles, terminals, and other equipment and facilities. Makeneeded safety improvements, and maintain cleanliness and attractive appearance. Give special attention to maintenance ofspecialized equipment such as wheelchair lifts, bus shelters, and signage for detours and special events.Recognize that transit operators represent assets with capacity to expand. Use their underutilized capabilities; and simplify access forusers by building expanded services on existing operators, rather than creating new organizations.Encourage communities to promote walkability through their zoning and land development ordinances by zoning for a pedestrian scaleof development, by including requirements and/or incentives for linking new development to adjoining developments via sidewalks orpathways and transit stops (as applicable), and limiting/reducing the number of driveways along a roadway to improve pedestriansafety.Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611RI Statewide Planning ProgramPage 5-48December 2012BICYCLEDESIGNECONOMICDEVELOPMENTEMERGENCYRESPONSEENVIRONMENTEQUITYFINANCEHIGHWAYINTERMODALLAND USE ANDCORRIDORSPEDESTRIANPLANNINGSAFETYTRANSIT