Providence, RI – My name is Barbara Henry and I’ve lived in Rhode Island for over 20 years. I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and, 3 years ago, I got a fulfilling job at the Fogarty Center working with people with disabilities. Not only do I love my job but it completely lifted me out of poverty. My whole life changed and it’s all due to being able to go from Point A to Point B. I own my home in Providence now, where I live with my son. For the first time in my life, I can breathe.
My son has autism so I taught him how to take the bus. I have to take public transportation because I am blind and can’t drive. I use RIPTA and RIDE (for persons with disability – like a paratransit.) Public transportation is vital for me because that’s my only way to get around.
I take it everywhere. My office is in Barrington, but I also use transit to get to clients. I go all over RI for work, to the YMCA, food shopping, doctors appointments and church.
With the snowy weather, all the bus stops need to be shoveled. I have to walk in the street and stand and wait in the street. Even at Kennedy Plaza, the main bus stop, it’s challenging and dangerous to wait so long for the bus in the cold.
A few years ago they removed the benches near Aldis and Price Right. Going to a bus stop with a child, you feel terrible. You have your hands full with groceries and your kid ends up sitting on the ground. If there was a bench, you could sit with dignity and respect.
Sundays and nights are even harder. Sunday is considered holiday and weekend service. You could possibly get to your location, but bus service ends very early. They should really expand it. I constantly hear on the news about young people dying because of drunk drivers. A lot of this could be prevented by frequent, efficient bus service 7 days a week.
One time, when my son was a minor, I went to advocate for a bill at the RI State House. Of course, you never know how long you’re going to be at the State House. By the skin of my teeth, I got on the bus at 11 o’clock at night. The driver said I just made it. I was really scared because what would I have done if I had missed that bus? Now I’m worried about advocacy because I don’t need to get stranded.
Sometimes I think there is a stigma about people who take buses, but most people who take buses work or go to school. Good bus service is especially vital for High School kids.
Now, with so many bus routes being cut back, it’s even more difficult. It worries me because without public transit, I’m scared I won’t be able to breathe again. For all the single mothers and all the young people getting their first job, like me son, public transportation is vital. Please fully fund transit operations as well as infrastructure in the next reauthorization.