Woonsocket Radio News Room

RIPTA Celebrates National Transit Driver Appreciation Day

Transit Heroes Never Stopped Worked During Pandemic

 

Providence, Rhode Island, March 16, 2023 – This Saturday, March 18, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will celebrate its heroes – 497 fixed-route and RIde paratransit drivers – in observance of National Transit Driver Appreciation Day. This special day is celebrated annually to recognize and show appreciation for the public service that public transit vehicle operators provide.

 

“Transit drivers do not have an easy job; they just make it look that way,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I want RIPTA drivers to know that their hard work and dedication is seen and appreciated. We thank them for providing an essential community service to Rhode Islanders, especially throughout the pandemic.”

 

“RIPTA is one of the very few agencies nationwide that did not cut or suspend service during the COVID-19 pandemic – and we owe that all to our drivers,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA Chief Executive Officer. “Our drivers are committed to getting people to school, work, medical appointments, shopping facilities, and other services every day without fail. For that, I would like to commend their hard work and dedication.”

 

Whether they are operating RIPTA’s large fixed-route buses or smaller RIde paratransit vans that provide crucial service to people with disabilities who cannot access the fixed-route buses, RIPTA drivers are the ones who keep Rhode Island moving.  RIPTA drivers inspect their vehicle at the start of their shift, collect fares, pick up riders, and answer trip planning questions – all while safely maneuvering oversized vehicles down narrow city streets, through unpredictable traffic and in all sorts of weather.

 

“RIPTA kept its buses running at full-service levels during the pandemic, ensuring that Rhode Island’s essential businesses could continue to operate,” said Normand Benoit, RIPTA Board Chairman. “Our drivers keep Rhode Island’s economy and workforce moving. We appreciate their commitment to delivering a world-class transit system to our passengers.”

 

“Even with all the obstacles our transit drivers face each and every day they provide a level of professionalism and commitment which is second to none,” said Nick DeCristofaro, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 618 President. “They are truly the backbone of our public transit system, ensuring our passengers reach their destinations safely and on time. We want to thank them for continuously going above and beyond for RIPTA and Rhode Islanders.”

 

RIPTA is encouraging riders to celebrate and appreciate Rhode Island’s hard-working transit drivers on March 18 by telling their transit driver “thank you.” Riders can also express their

gratitude and support by sharing their appreciation on social media using #LoveMyRIPTADriver and tagging RIPTA (Facebook @RideRIPTA, Twitter @RIPTA_RI) or by submitting kind wishes via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

For more information on Transit Driver Appreciation Day, visit RIPTA.com/ThankYou

 

The Governor of Kentucky says it's a tragic day after nine soldiers died when two Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed on a training mission. It happened near Fort Campbell last night during a planned training mission and every soldier on-board the helicopters died. Army officials say the pilots were using night-vision equipment.        The White House is calling on Republicans to "show some courage" and pass an assault weapons ban. This comes after Monday's deadly school shooting in Nashville. GOP lawmakers have shown no interest in a ban, arguing the issue is more related to school security and mental health.        Officials are investigating a train derailment that forced residents in a small town in Minnesota to evacuate. The BNSF Railway says about 22 cars carrying "mixed freight" including ethanol and corn syrup derailed in the town of Raymond Thursday morning and several tanks caught fire. EMS personnel assisted with the evacuation, but no injuries were reported.        Weekly jobless claims are up. Government figures out today show claims rose by seven-thousand last week, landing at 198-thousand. That's a few thousand more than most analysts had expected.        A Chicago man is being exonerated after spending almost three decades behind bars for two 1994 murders. Forty-six-year-old David Wright was arrested when he was 17 in August 1994 for the killings of two friends. Wright's lawyers say his conviction was based on a false confession he signed after a long and abusive interrogation by three Chicago detectives.        The 2023 MLB season is officially getting underway today. For the first time since 1968, Opening Day with feature all 30 MLB teams hitting the diamond. The Astros open their World Series title defense at home against the Chicago White Sox.        

Old News Archives