The RIPTA blues

It's pretty sad -- here in the Ocean State -- that the Providence-to-Newport ferry seems to be on the way out.

And as recently reported in the Phoenix, Rhode Island's transit system is contracting when it should be getting better.

Bruce Landis has the latest:

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority said the cutbacks would affect 50 regular routes, eliminating some and chopping off sections of others. They would reduce the number of buses on some lines, increase the time between buses on others and eliminate some evening and weekend service.

Mark Therrien, a RIPTA assistant general manager, said the cutbacks would eliminate about 4.7 million rides, or about 20 percent of its total annual ridership, and eliminate service to Tiverton, Scituate, Burrillville and Glocester.

“We want to improve and expand the system,” not cut it, said RIPTA General Manager Alfred J. Moscola. “We need a first-class transit system if we want economic development in Rhode Island. Unfortunately, after years of cost-cutting, we’ve run out of options.”