2024 -- H 8080

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LC005765

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 18, 2024, TO BE "TRANSIT EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY"

IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Tanzi, Chippendale,
Fellela, Ajello, Handy, Edwards, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: March 19, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In 2022, approximately 6.19 billion people used public transportation in the

United States. It is estimated that approximately eight percent of the United States population,

twenty-eight million people, are public transportation dependent; and

     WHEREAS, Across the United States, it is estimated that 399,316 hard-working

Americans work in the public transportation industry. Each day they strive tirelessly to ensure

that their riders are picked up and dropped off promptly at their intended destination, be it for

work, doctor’s offices or any other number of destinations such as the beach in the summertime,

and these fine professionals ensure that they arrive safely; and

     WHEREAS, Public transportations workers secure safe rides for many handicapped

passengers, elderly passengers, minors and students attending college. They work in all weather

conditions and stayed on the job during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic healthcare issues;

and

     WHEREAS, It is estimated that every $1 billion dollars invested in American public

transportation yields 5 billion dollars in additional economic impact, including the creation of

18,000 new jobs. In addition, public transportation is certainly one of the weapons that will be an

essential component in the fight to mitigate global warming and its devastating impact on planet

Earth; and

     WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA)

was created in 1966, and since then it has provided public transportation services for the past 58

years to countless Rhode Islanders. RIPTA operates seven days a week and operates 2,700 daily

trips on more than 58 statewide-fixed bus routes. RIPTA also operates ADA Paratransit services

statewide, and provides Park N Ride Service at 32 sites across Rhode Island. RIPTA employs 873

hard-working employees, maintains a fleet of 229 fixed-route buses, 72 paratransit buses, and 13

flex vans, and operated 9,627, 384 fixed-route vehicle miles in 2022; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims March 18, 2024, to be “Transit Employee Appreciation Day” in the State of Rhode

Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Scott Avedisian, Chief

Executive Officer, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

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LC005765

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LC005765 - Page 2 of 2