Three local social service agencies are urging elected officials not to cut RIPTA Bus 68, warning that it would have dire consequences for their clients.
In a joint press release, Child & Family, Newport Mental Health, and the Newport County YMCA said that if Bus 68 is cut, it would have a devastating impact on people who rely on their services for mental health care, job search assistance, childcare, and other essential needs.
The three agencies are concerned about the impact that a cut to Bus 68 would have on their ability to deliver essential services.
They also noted that many people who use Bus 68 cannot afford to travel to other parts of town for services, making it essential that the bus stops at the Aquidneck Corporate Park, where the three agencies are located.
The potential cut to Bus 68 is due to ongoing driver shortages at RIPTA.
To address this issue, the agencies urge elected officials and community members to attend one of the two public workshops scheduled for February 15th at the CCRI Newport campus, at 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm, to voice their support and advocate for the retention of Bus 68.
“We implore our community leaders to stand with us in preserving Bus 68 and ensuring continued access to essential services for those who rely on it. Together, we can safeguard the well-being of our community’s most vulnerable members,” the press release states.
Full Statement
Three Local Social Service Agencies Unite in Urgent Appeal to Retain RIPTA Bus 68
Newport, Rhode Island – February 9, 2024
Child & Family, Newport Mental Health, and the Newport County YMCA have come together to raise awareness about the potential elimination of RIPTA Bus 68, a crucial transportation lifeline for the Aquidneck Corporate Park where the three social service agencies are situated.
There is a looming threat that RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority) may cut Bus 68 from its routes in April due to ongoing challenges stemming from a driver shortage issue. The three organizations, collectively serving diverse demographics including families, senior citizens, veterans, and active-duty military personnel, are deeply concerned about the adverse effects this cut would have on their clients’ access to essential services.
Many individuals rely on these agencies for critical support, ranging from social services to mental health assistance, childcare, and physical well-being. Bus 68 plays a vital role in facilitating access to these services by stopping at the corporate park, where the agencies are located.
Of particular concern is the impact on clients of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, housed within the Child & Family building. Potential elimination of Bus 68 would impede their ability to access crucial programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid, among others.
Furthermore, the employees of these agencies depend on Bus 68 for their daily commute, emphasizing its importance in maintaining a capable workforce that serves the community.
While recognizing the challenges faced by RIPTA, the agencies stress the importance of conveying the potential repercussions of route cuts on Aquidneck Island’s vulnerable population. Geographically isolated, the island heavily relies on local services, and the accessibility provided by Bus 68 is integral to the successful delivery of these services.
In an effort to address this issue, the agencies urge elected officials and community members to attend one of the two public workshops scheduled for February 15th at the CCRI Newport campus, at 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm, to voice their support and advocate for the retention of Bus 68.
We implore our community leaders to stand with us in preserving Bus 68 and ensuring continued access to essential services for those who rely on it. Together, we can safeguard the well-being of our community’s most vulnerable members.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
