WHEREAS, Increasing roadway congestion poses a threat to the health, safety, welfare and efficient commerce of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Single-occupancy commuter vehicles comprise a significant portion of roadway traffic, parking for single-occupancy vehicles is limited in urban job centers, and emissions from single-occupancy vehicles are a significant source of greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, American dependence on foreign supplies of petroleum is exacerbated by inefficient transportation choices made at the state, local and individual level; and

WHEREAS, Widespread use of public transportation is limited despite the continued efforts of RIPTA to improve ridership in a manner that is cost-effective to the taxpayers of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Group transportation benefit packages, negotiated with assistance from RIPTA, may provide Rhode Island employers, institutions and agencies with a cost-effective means of offering public transportation to employees, stimulate the use of public transportation as a means of commuting to work, diminish greenhouse gas emissions from single-occupancy vehicles, alleviate roadway congestion, and reduce American dependence on foreign supplies of petroleum; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby supports RIPTA's efforts to offer group ridership rates to Rhode Island employers, institutions and agencies as part of group transportation benefit packages; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby encourages state departments and agencies to work with RIPTA to investigate the use of group transportation benefit packages for state employees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the director of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).