Jack’s Angle: “Putting politics into RIPTA is a bad idea…” – Jack Partridge
by John J. “Jack” Partridge, contributing writer , commentary What is the motivation behind Senate President Dominic Ruggeiro calling for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to take over the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)? It can’t be because RIPTA is not doing its job, despite being under stress related to the Covid epidemic, and while under pressure from underpaid drivers, budgetary constraints, and cries for more free ridership from the General Assembly? Surely, Ruggeiro’s call couldn’t just be a political move against a public entity with a spirited board and committed staff, now free of heavy-handed Politics ? Could it?? If there is another state agency that does such an incredible job every day for Rhode Islanders, despite the obvious need for a more robust and sustained public financing, than RIPTA, then let’s hear about it, Senator. How will moving it to the bureaucratic and multi task...