Monday, February 20, 2023

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Within the newest growth within the battle over the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA), the chair of the board of administrators of the company, Normand Benoit, issued a press release defending the efficiency of RIPTA and chief govt officer Scott Avedisian.

Benoit’s assertion comes after Rhode Island State Senate President Dominick Ruggerio known as for Avedisian to resign and RIPTA to be merged into the Rhode Island Division of Transportation (RIDOT).

Ruggerio has been pushing for years to merge the 2 companies.

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Ruggerio and RIDOT director Alviti labored collectively for the Laborers’ Worldwide Union of North America which is headquartered in Windfall. The union dominates Rhode Island politics and has been a serious supporter of former Governor Gina Raimondo and sitting Governor Dan McKee.

Alviti and RIDOT have their very own issues.

Benoit mentioned in his assertion, “Over the past 4 years as RIPTA’s board chair, I’ve had an opportunity to see first-hand the progress that’s been made on the company throughout Scott Avedisian’s tenure as CEO.  Whereas it’s necessary to acknowledge the place we’ve fallen brief, the document as an entire is robust.

“This comes into sharper focus in mild of the truth that RIPTA outperforms comparable companies throughout the nation in nearly each key efficiency indicator.  Regardless of a persistent lack of state funding, RIPTA nonetheless offers extra journeys, in a bigger space, at a more practical value per journey than different transit companies that serve comparable inhabitants areas or present statewide service wherever in America.  RIPTA additionally outperforms its friends in complete journeys, fare revenues, farebox restoration and journeys per capita.  It’s a powerful, if under-appreciated, document.”

However Avedisian drew hearth not too long ago for giving a no-bid contract to his political and private buddy, failed GOP Congressional candidate Allan Fung.

GoLocal, by way of an Entry to Public Data Act request, unveiled the contract.

Benoit didn’t handle the contract, however said, “RIPTA’s pension plan is stronger than it has been in years and the company has a balanced finances.  In the meantime, the federal authorities has expressed its confidence in RIPTA by investing over $45 million in federal grants.  At present, as we proceed to get well from the pandemic, RIPTA offers 900,000 rides per 30 days to Rhode Islanders.”

“Placing DOT in command of public transit in Rhode Island wouldn’t be sound public coverage.  DOT’s duty is to maintain our state’s roads and bridges in a excessive state of restore.  This mission could be very totally different from RIPTA’s mission to supply transit riders with protected, dependable service,” he continued. “Subordinating RIPTA to DOT was proposed, and rejected, solely three years in the past. Nothing has modified since then, and I’m sure that I communicate for our riders, and all supporters of public transit throughout Rhode Island after I say that making RIPTA an adjunct to DOT can be a grave error.”

Benoit added:

“In reality, in a letter to Gov. Raimondo when she proposed the identical factor in 2020, Develop Good RI advisable simply the alternative method, stating ‘it appears to make good sense to think about reassigning all transit working features that at present reside at RIDOT to RIPTA.’ I stay up for showing earlier than the Senate Committee on Guidelines, Authorities Ethics & Oversight to reply any questions and handle any issues that any members might have. I proceed to help Scott Avedisian as CEO of this group and I’m assured that he’ll proceed to work with RIPTA’s dedicated employees and the Board in the most effective pursuits of the individuals we serve. I stay up for a constructive, knowledgeable dialogue with state leaders and our many stakeholders about how one can present RIPTA with the funding and help it wants to realize its full potential.”

RIDOT Venture Federal and State Investigations, Worst Roads in America

Ruggerio’s name for the merger ignored RIDOT’s personal issues.

In latest months, one among RIDOT’s largest tasks has been the main focus of each the U.S. Division of Justice and the Rhode Island Legal professional Basic. Underneath the oversight of RIDOT, the lead contractor on the $420 million 6/10 challenge— MA-based Barletta Heavy Machine — paid $1.5 million as a part of a non-prosecution settlement with the U.S. Legal professional’s workplace and is dealing with a number of legal fees and probably thousands and thousands of fines in Rhode Island.

The lead supervisor — Dennis Ferreira, on the 6/10 challenge — is about to be sentenced in federal court docket in March and this previous week plead harmless to a number of state felony fees.

As well as, two weeks in the past, Rhode Island was ranked as having the worst roads in America.

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