Protesters Rally Against RIPTA Cuts [VIDEO]

Protesters showed up in Providence to voice their opposition to proposed cuts in RIPTA service — including changes to the two routes serving Johnston — at a rally held on August 1.

A crowd gathered outside Providence City Hall as protest leaders described the harsh effects that may result from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's plans to reduce or eliminate bus services on 39 routes in 35 communities.

While there are no eliminations of service proposed for Johnston, RIPTA's plan includes reductions to Routes 27 (Manton) and 28 (Hartford).

Service for both routes would stop after 10 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, with no service beyond the Providence city line on weekends.

Route 27 goes through Johnston on George Waterman Road into Centerdale and Greenville before stopping on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence. Bus 28 makes stops at the intersection of Hartford Avenue and Killingly Street and the Atwood Avenue Stop & Shop.

(View bus routes at the RIPTA website by using the drop-down menu to search for the route number.)

The proposed cuts will slice 10 percent off the authority's budget in an attempt to close a $4.6 million budget hole. The cuts will affect 39 bus routes in 35 communities.

Protestors argued that these cuts will affect the jobless, the homeless, the disabled, students and the poor.

Those gathered at City Hall on Monday signed a petition against the cuts and listened to speakers present their views. Afterwards, many of them left for a public hearing on the cuts at the University of Rhode Island's Providence Campus.

To date, RIPTA has held eight public hearings on the matter.

The final public hearing is scheduled for August 4 at Pawtucket City Hall.

For a complete list of cuts to routes click here.

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