Free buses are great for transit since transit funding is usually linked to ridership. Making buses free attracts more riders, which brings more funding, which brings demand for better transit, etc. It's a virtuous cycle, and if RI ever wants a real 21st century transit system, free buses are a great first step. Another inbuilt benefit of free buses is faster service. A lot of the delays on RIPTA are from waiting at stops for people to board and pay.

The R Line has been free for a while now and it's jam packed all the time. RIPTA needs to invest in some articulated buses short term for the R Line, and make an East-West R line to match that goes from EP to Olneyville. Both R-Lines would run on the same route between Providence Station and Lasalle Square, giving 5 minute headways on that corridor.

I’m of the opinion that the current model is generally the most appropriate with it being tax payer-subsidized, but the people who actually make use of the service carry some of the cost.

It’s a public service that’s available but not every single person actively uses it all the time. I think it makes sense that the people riding the bus carry some additional cost there.

I’d much rather RIPTA expand routes and invest in increasing driver compensation rather than making fares free, but if they can secure extra federal grants to cover all fares then it’s fine with me.

As it is for right now, for FY22 (which ended 6/30/22 for RIPTA) total employee comp pretty much equals out to the state and federal subsidies received, coming out to about $86M each. Passenger fares only make up about $9M of revenues, but the overall budget for RIPTA isn’t very high, with the revised FY23 budget coming in around $147M with expectations of about $11.7M in revenue from passenger fares.

It is worth noting that revenues for RIPTA are bit inflated for the next couple years due to extra funding coming from the Covid Relief Fund. Once that dries up, I’m not sure what changes they’ll make.

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Seconding this, I got an antenna at Home Depot for like $15 and it gets WPRI fine.

can I buy a print?

I recognized this immediately before reading the caption/sub, this is perfect!!!!

I recommend Kelsey @ Phantom Hand in Pawtucket.

Also had work done by Greg @ Unicorn Ink and would recommend as well.

If you're newish to RI and have a non local landlord you just have to deal with the struggle. New comers with money grabbing property owners are a result of capitalism, find a home I'd support the option of you going closer to family and people you trust

I’d use RIPTA a lot more if it was free and had adequate parking lots. And I’d even pay for a bus segment up to Boston, with free intrastate connections. So would lots of other people.

Love the color palette used- gives off a cool vibe

17 is the high for the day, that’s being optimistic. It won’t reach that temperature until mid afternoon. It’s going to be dangerously cold outside.

That being said, I would plan some nice indoor activities nearby where you will be staying. You don’t want to be driving around in that weather. People have left some great options here, so won’t reiterate.

It makes good sense and I'd like to see it done here.

This a great set of ideas! I was going to recommend the botanical gardens.

I suggest you try rolling your windows down and removing the fuse for power windows. According to the wording of the law (sec G #4) it should probably pass. I would bet some inspectors won't agree but by the letter of the law you don't need to have front windows to pass.

Another option would be removing the glass entirely then putting it back after inspection.It may cost less than removing the tint and reapplying if that's what you were thinking of doing.

Thank very much! 👍

Yes, I love it there! I get a few filled croissants, a bunch of little tarts and things, and usually a piece of cake or something.

Wow. That’s beautiful!

The delivery folks can't/won't disconnect/reconnect even if the valve is closed. Same for gas dryer.

You need an installer. When I replaced mine my choice was to do it myself (taking half a day from work to sit around and wait for them) or wait three months for an available install date. Third choice of course is just disconnect the old, let them take it and leave the new, then move it into place yourself later, whether yourself or with a plumber.

A management company should have someone on payroll to deal with this though.

super fun activities club. also check out pvd bike jam.

Visit the greenhouses at Roger Williams Park and/or the Brown University ones off Thayer St.

Basically anything Madrid makes is fantastic

Paramount+ has a WPRI livestream.

Definitely not just you. They do other things well - croissants are not one of them!

I can come out now?

Bundle up and go outside. RI has so many unique places outside. Newport in the off season is lovely. No major commitments to be outside long and plenty of year round restaurants to eat and warm up in.