Clean, Affordable Transportation Choices

Problem:

Rhode Island’s dependence on automobiles is hurting our communities, the environment and our economy. Rhode Islanders want to live full, prosperous lives with a healthy environment and a healthy economy. They are worried about the poor quality of the air as well as the fact that many people have few options when it comes to getting to work or school. Yet, there is little alternative to private cars.

Solution:

A robust and reliable public transit system gives people a better choice. Better public transportation means fewer cars and trucks on the road, which in turn means cleaner air. Instead of being dependent on automobiles to commute to work, getting stuck in heavy traffic congestion, and polluting the air, Rhode Islanders could invest in improving and expanding the mass transit system. Mass transit is good for jobs, for a thriving economy, and for clean air. We can transform RIPTA into a world-class mass transit system that connects Rhode Islanders with clean, affordable transportation choices.

Right now, Rhode Island Sierra Club is working to get the state of Rhode Island to commit to long-term sustainable and dedicated financing to increase the reliability and frequency of our state's transit system. We are also urging RIPTA to better promote their service by providing better public information like numbered signs at bus stops, schedule booklets, and a functional web site.

Five Clean Transportation Choices You Can Make:

Take the RIPTA challenge: Use mass transit whenever possible. Each time, keep track of the things that work or don't work for you. Email your RIPTA log to chris.wilhite@sierraclub.org.
Write a letter to Governor Carcieri and demand more mass transit. Tell him that we need to better finance Rhode Island's mass transit system to put more buses and rail in Rhode Island communities to benefit local businesses and working families, and to do our part to help solve traffic, asthma and global warming.
Write to your mayor or town manager to promote better planning for cleaner transportation choices in your community.
Host a House Party with a guest speaker from the Sierra Club to educate your social network about the need for clean, affordable transportation alternatives in Rhode Island communities.
Help organize a Bus Rider Union: Help the Sierra Club reach out to RIPTA users and would-be users to build demand for better bus service in Rhode Island.

All Rhode Islanders deserve healthy air, natural places to recreate, and better transportation, but the lack of a strong public transit system and the resulting environmental problems disproportionately affect lower-income and minority individuals. We all have a role to play when it comes to protecting our families from the growing asthma epidemic and the looming threat of global warming. Government, business, and commuters can all work towards a solution that will create clean, healthy air quality as well as a healthy economy, with plenty of job opportunities. By investing in our urban areas and providing clean, affordable transportation choices, Rhode Island can still grow and thrive without sacrificing the natural beauty and rural character of our state.

For more information on mass transit:

Getting from Here to There: Transportation Solutions for Rhode Islanders - a Report from Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter

Growing Smart with Transit: A Report of the Transit 2020 Working Group

Public Transit Solutions for Rhode Island: the platform statement of the New Public Transit Alliance (NuPTA) is a growing coalition of bus riders, businesses, smart growth, labor, health, and environmental groups dedicated to promoting and expanding mass transit in Rhode Island.

Sierra Club Report: Missing the Train

How the Bush Administration’s Transportation Proposal Threatens Jobs, Commutes and Public Transit Ridership

Did you know?

Employers may provide up to $100 a month to their employees as a tax-free benefit to commute by transit or vanpool.
Employers may pay the commuting cost or allow employees to use their own salary on a pre-tax basis to purchase transit or vanpool services.
You can save $$$ and park at the Providence Place Garage when you register a commuter carpool with the Express Travel Program.
Everyone who registers a commuter carpool--a vehicle containing two or more persons--can park at Providence Place at discounted rates.
This discounted parking allows two people to park all day for as little as $2.50 per car.

Bus Riders Union

Too often those dependent on public transportation have little or no voice in the political process. By organizing RIPTA riders we will help create a constituency of transit users that public officials will have to answer to when making decisions regarding transportation dollars. Currently there is an unsound and unhealthy emphasis on highway projects; this is to the detriment of our communities and environment. To help organize RIPTA riders please contact Chris Wilhite at 401.521.4734 or chris.wilhite@sierraclub.org.

Bikeable Communities

Faster than walking, cleaner than driving, and all around fun for everyone! Biking is not only a great workout; it’s a zero-pollution way of getting to work or school. Plus, if you get tired or the weather turns sour you can put your bike on a RIPTA bus and still make it home in time for dinner.

Investing in bike lanes makes great sense but it’s not a top priority for many elected officials and communities. We need to be vocal in our desire to see bikeways in our neighborhood. There is LOTS of money out there to fund transportation projects, but the squeaky wheel gets the oil and the squeakiest wheel is often highway projects – which generally are not environmentally friendly and contribute to sprawl. Fortunately, the Rhode Island Sierra Club has a seat on the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) subcommittee of the Transportation Improvement Project (TIP), the Rhode Island committee which decides how federal transportation dollars are spent. This allows us to fund project such as bikeway and sidewalk improvement projects.

We have a long way to go to make our streets bike friendly. Please let the Sierra Club know if there is a proposed project in your community you would like us to support. Also, check our out outings page for other great ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Rhode Island.

Take the Bike to Work Challenge:

Get healthy and active in the fight to protect the environment. If you live close enough work to ride your bike – face it, in Rhode Island most of us do live close enough – then make a commitment to ride your bike a few times a week during the warm weather. Think of breezing past cars during rush hour and getting to work without getting cut off by 4 different drivers, sounds nice!

QUICK FACTS

Cars and trucks contribute to 2/3 of transportation sector global warming emissions
45.5% of smog in the Ocean State comes from cars and trucks
Rhode Island is a “Serious” non-attainment zone for unsafe ozone levels
Rhode Island ranks the 3^rd worst state for asthma according to the American Lung Association
37% of Rhode Island greenhouse gas emissions are caused by transportation
90.5% of the workforce drive to work in the Providence/Pawtucket area, only 2.5% of workers use public transit – clearly there is room for improvement

MORE INFORMATION

Cars and Global Warming

Policy Options for RI to Reduce Global Warming Pollution from Light Cars and Trucks

Public Interest Research Group Education Fund Report

American Lung Association: State of the Air 2005

Rhode Island has the 3^rd worst asthma rate in the nation!

[1] Justin Weber. The Cost of Driving. Carprices.com 2004

Our Issues