Transportation
Across all elements of the planning process, physical access to resources in the city has been identified as the main barrier to youth engagement. High schools students do not receive free transportation to school unless they live more than 3 miles away. This slim percentage of youth receive monthly bus passes for use on the RIPTA public busing system. RIPTA is suffering from state budget deficits and has recently cut routes and increased one way fares to $1.75. Up until last year, students on state assistance received monthly bus passes as part of their family benefits, but state cuts have lowered that benefit to a monthly allotment of 10 rides.
The cost of transportation is debilitating to student mobility. As well, young people report safety concerns on buses and in the transit center, Kennedy Plaza, overcrowded buses, and inefficient routes that don’t match their needs. Young people want and deserve safe, reliable, relevant transportation in the city that allows their optimal engagement in school, work and community life.
The Hub is working with RIPTA and community-based organizations to increase the percentage of students provided with subsidized bus passes, which will increase school attendance and positive out-of-school opportunities and decrease negative environmental effects and congestion problems in the city.
