The Town Council is looking at two proposals submitted for a possible island transit service this summer season: one from R.I. Public Transit Authority, and one formed by the Commission for Motor Vehicles for Hire and island taxi operators.
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, RIPTA presented its proposal to the Town Council for a public transit pilot program on the island. RIPTA would provide two trolleys measuring at 35 feet long and nine feet wide for the 2021 summer season. On Tuesday, Feb. 9, MVFH Chair Brad Marthens and taxi owner Judy Clark introduced an alternative proposal to the council for an island-based shuttle service using a standard van measuring 21 feet long and six feet wide.
A vote will be made on Wednesday, Feb. 17 by the council for either the RIPTA proposal or the proposal presented by the MVFH and taxi operators. RIPTA will need a decision by March 1, in order to start preparing for shuttle operations by mid-June.
The following discussions below are broken down by the recent meetings between the Town Council, RIPTA, and taxi owners and operators.
At the Feb. 3 meeting, Town Manager Maryanne Crawford, who first announced the possibility of
