The Senate President Dominick Ruggerio is calling on the CEO of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to resign because of what he called unacceptable mistakes.
Among them he says is the inability to address a driver shortage until it was too late.
"RIPTA has been plagued by enduring challenges that have only grown more severe over the years. Despite federal funding that presented an unprecedented opportunity to make necessary reforms, there has been no change in direction. Foreseeable challenges, such as a driver shortage at the start of the school year, were left unaddressed until there was a crisis. There have been unacceptable management gaffes, such as the granting a no-bid lobbying contract to a political ally, apparently without the Board’s knowledge. No meaningful plan to confront the agency’s fiscal challenges has been presented to the General Assembly, and we are again faced with putting band aids on a gaping wound," said the Senate President.
CEO Scott Avedisian says he looks forward to talking to the Senate President about his concerns.
(Photo provided by RI Senate President's Office)