The U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated $60.1 million to Rhode Island to improve the state’s public transportation system, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo announced in a press release on Wednesday. The funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Rhode Island’s public transit system helps drive economic growth, connects communities, and gets people where they need to go. This latest round of federal funding will help RIPTA improve service and invest in new vehicles, technologies, infrastructure, and capital purchases. I will continue partnering with state and local leaders to modernize our infrastructure and deliver federal funds to ensure RIPTA offers safe, convenient, reliable, and accessible public transportation for everyone,” said Senator Reed.
“Public transportation has the power to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for people across the state. Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver much-needed investments in making public transportation more accessible and reliable for Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Whitehouse.
“A safe and efficient public transportation system is vital to getting Rhode Islanders to work, school, and back home to spend valuable time with their families,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner. “I’m pleased that RIPTA is receiving this federal funding, and I will continue to work to deliver the necessary resources so that every Rhode Islander has access to effective and reliable transportation.”
“As an advocate for public transit in Congress, I’m proud to work alongside my Rhode Island delegation colleagues to steer federal dollars to our state’s transit agency,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Today’s funding announcement, made possible by the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed under President Biden, will help maintain and expand Rhode Island’s public transportation — a key way to connect communities and improve the lives of hardworking Rhode Islanders all across our state.”
The funding will be used to modernize, maintain, and operate public transportation systems, upgrade stations, tracks, and maintenance facilities, and to provide access for seniors and riders with disabilities.
The federal government’s investment in public transportation is part of a broader effort to improve the quality of life for Rhode Islanders and promote economic growth. The new investment is expected to create jobs and improve the daily lives of people across the state.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.