§ 39-18-3. Purposes of the authority.
(a) It shall be the purposes of the authority to:
(1) Provide public transit services that meet mobility needs of the people of the state, including the elderly and disabled;
(2) Increase access to employment opportunities;
(3) Connect different modes of public transportation, including rail, air, and water services;
(4) Promote community design that features public transit services as defining elements of a community;
(5) Facilitate energy conservation and efficient energy use in the transportation sector by providing public transit services; and
(6) Mitigate traffic congestion and enhance air quality.
(b) It shall further be the purpose of the authority to own and operate a mass motor bus, water, or rail passenger transportation system and to manage, to coordinate, and to perform vehicle maintenance for a state paratransit system. Whenever any operator of a mass motor bus, water, or rail passenger transportation system files with the public utilities administrator a petition to discontinue any service, it is the purpose and function of the authority to determine if it is in the public interest to discontinue that service. If it is determined that it is not in the public interest to discontinue that service, the authority is authorized and empowered to acquire all or any part of the transit property, or any interest therein, of the system.
History of Section.P.L. 1964, ch. 210, § 1; P.L. 1965, ch. 127, § 2; P.L. 1983, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 256, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 504, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 518, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 39-18 - Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
Section 39-18-1. - Definitions.
Section 39-18-1.1. - Findings.
Section 39-18-3. - Purposes of the authority.
Section 39-18-4. - Powers and duties of the authority.
Section 39-18-4.1. - Health and safety of passengers.
Section 39-18-4.2. - Alteration of bus route — Public hearing.
Section 39-18-5. - Credit of state and political subdivisions not pledged.
Section 39-18-6. - Eminent domain proceedings.
Section 39-18-8. - Trust agreement — Other security for bonds.
Section 39-18-10. - Trust funds.
Section 39-18-12. - Exemptions from taxation.
Section 39-18-13. - Bonds eligible for investment.
Section 39-18-14. - Negotiable instruments.
Section 39-18-15. - Refunding bonds.
Section 39-18-16. - Limitation of powers.
Section 39-18-17. - Labor relations with employees of acquired transit facilities.
Section 39-18-18. - Action by resolution — Reports — Audits.
Section 39-18-18.1. - Authority deemed instrumentality and political subdivision of state.
Section 39-18-19. - Severability.
Section 39-18-20. - Use of services of department of transportation.
Section 39-18-21. - Agreements and certifications regarding state and federal funds.
Section 39-18-22. - State appropriations.
Section 39-18-23. - Medical care available to employees.
Section 39-18-24. - John J. MacDonald, Jr. Transportation Initiative.