RIPTA cuts back service on more than 20 routes. Here's why.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's staffing woes aren't just impacting students going to school. Within weeks, they'll begin impacting a slew of other commuters in the state.

On Thursday, RIPTA announced it would begin cutting back service on 21 routes starting on Oct. 22 because of a "historic workforce shortage."

"In Rhode Island and across the country, there is a shortage of staff necessary to maintain daily transportation services," said RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian. "RIPTA is facing fierce competition from higher-paying private-sector companies for commercial drivers. As a result, this is causing a disruption for our customers in daily fixed-route bus service."

RIPTA staffing crisis: Canceled school routes, supervisors driving buses, 15-hour days

Routes that will see reduced trips include 17, 19, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 31, 50, 51, 54, 55, 56, 57, 60, 63, 65X, 67, 72, 87, and 92. However, RIPTA said "early morning, night, weekend and holiday service will not be impacted."

RIPTA said with fewer trips, it will be able to avoid cancelations and stay on schedule. Further details on the changes are available at RIPTA.com/ServiceChanges.

The agency said it is in negotiations with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 618, which represents drivers, "to increase starting hourly pay for van operators in an effort to become more competitive in the marketplace."

RIPTA school routes: RIPTA buses will roll again Thursday for Providence high school students

At present, paratransit drivers, who operate trips for people with disabilities, make a stating wage of $16.45 per hour. That's where drivers usually start out before becoming fixed-route drivers, who make a starting wage of $18.95 per hour.

Union President Nick DeCristofaro said he wants RIPTA to provide annual raises of approximately 3%, and he doesn't believe the starting wage for paratransit operators is attractive to prospective employees.

The union has said its members are pulling 15-hour shifts to alleviate the staffing crisis.

"I can’t expect you to understand what driving a bus for 15 hours a day is like," DeCristofaro told a Providence Journal reporter. "I tell people just picture if you were driving your own car and not worrying about any minute-to-minute times and bus stops and people getting in and out of your car. Just think of driving through the city for eight hours, not even 15 hours … Tell me how you would feel after an eight-hour drive in your vehicle."

DeCristofaro, evidently frustrated with RIPTA management, said it was only last week that Gov. Dan McKee called him while DeCristofaro was at a convention in Las Vegas, asking for DeCristofaro's help as the driver shortage impacted school routes.

DeCristofaro said he "took care of it" and "the next day, all the school trips were coming."

McKee's spokesperson Matt Sheaff confirmed the conversation took place.

RIPTA told the Journal that from Sept. 1 - Sept. 23, drivers put in 13,296 hours of overtime, costing the agency $635,894.65.

"I’ve been here 46 years," DeCristofaro said. "I’ve never ever seen anything like this."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RIPTA service reductions planned on 20+ routes due to staff shortage