Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

December 2012FLEX SERVICEFlex Service is provided in eight (8) zones with a fleet of 17 vehicles. This is a hybrid transit service, which combines bus stops with demand response(reservation) service. Flex vehicles do not follow a regular defined route; they travel directly to the next pick-up/drop-off location or time point. This servicelinks patrons with destinations within the zone and with scheduled stops on fixed route transit lines. This is an innovative transit option that responds totransit needs in more rural areas. Two of the demand-response zones provide job access services in support of the state's "welfare to work" efforts. Futureneeds include adherence to a vehicle replacement program, continued application of ITS technologies, and continued evaluation of routes and service areas.PARATRANSITThe RIde program continues to focus on providing demand-responsive transportation to low income, elderly and disabled people. RIde is the statewidebroker managing the requests for service and the contracts with carriers operating 104 daily vans that provide service around the state. Funding agencies payan hourly amount that is deposited into a restricted receipt account (Paratransit Capital Fund) used to provide state matching funds for capital expenses, suchas replacement vehicles. Future needs include continued adherence to a vehicle replacement schedule and continued enhancement of ITS technologies.Service expansion may be necessary as the population ages.FUTURE NEEDSRIPTA completed a strategic planning effort in order to guide bus transit development for the next five years. The plan identifies important investments, someof which are underway, including the development of Rhode Island’s first rapid bus service, improved data collection, and improved customer amenities.RIPTA also completed an Alternatives Analysis reviewing opportunities to improve connections in the Providence Metropolitan area. A fixed route streetcarconnecting College Hill, the Jewelry District, and Upper South Providence was selected as the preferred alternative. A comprehensive operational analysis isalso underway to identify opportunities to create a more efficient and effective transit network. Service standards will be updated to ensure service matchespopulation and employment demands and scenarios will be evaluated that would improve service based on ridership surveys and extensive data analysis.COMMUTER RAILUnder the Pilgrim Partnership II Agreement that is in effect, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates weekday and weekendcommuter rail service between Boston and Providence, and weekday commuter rail service between Boston and Wickford Junction, while RIDOT contributescapital funding for projects benefitting the Providence line (i.e. Pawtucket layover yard, trainsets, station improvements, etc). This service carriesapproximately 2,000 riders per weekday from Providence and 900 riders per weekend day. As of September 2012, there are seventeen (17) inbound trips perweekday from Providence to Boston and nineteen (19) outbound trips per weekday from Boston to Providence. There are ten (10) inbound and ten (10)outbound trips per weekday south of Providence at the Interlink in Warwick and Wickford Junction in North Kingstown to Providence and Boston. There areTransportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611Rhode Island Statewide Planning ProgramPage 2-7