Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · 12d

Those of us who've been observing Alviti for 10+ years know: every accusation is a confession.

www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...

Alviti tears into 'lies' about who's to blame for Washington Bridge failure, withheld report

The RIDOT chief also slammed critics accusing his department of "inaction" on warnings about the dangerous condition of the now-closed westbound span.

www.providencejournal.com

1 8

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · 12d

Such a perfect example of the false promises of microtransit, which state leaders in RI have been pushing as the "right-sizing" to RIPTA's fixed route. It's bullshit. Just watch.

Miles in Transit @milesintransit.com · 14d

In one of the more fraught adventures we've had in recent memory, Nathan and I attempt to travel from New York to Boston on transit...via Block Island! youtu.be/sw6Yv9k5kZ0

From New York to Boston...via Block Island?

Well yeah, how ELSE would you go?? Please fill out the survey and petition regarding RIPTA's service cuts here: https://pvdstreets.org/save-ripta/ RIPTA's Flex On Demand song:…

youtu.be

2 2 7

Reposted by Liza Birch

Patrick Anderson @waveelection.bsky.social · 14d

Cool trip and brutal look at the impact of RIPTA cuts

Miles in Transit @milesintransit.com · 14d

In one of the more fraught adventures we've had in recent memory, Nathan and I attempt to travel from New York to Boston on transit...via Block Island! youtu.be/sw6Yv9k5kZ0

From New York to Boston...via Block Island?

Well yeah, how ELSE would you go?? Please fill out the survey and petition regarding RIPTA's service cuts here: https://pvdstreets.org/save-ripta/ RIPTA's Flex On Demand song:…

youtu.be

1 1 5

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · 16d

Best possible way to start my week.

4

Reposted by Liza Birch

Eric Harrison, but scary 😱 @laterbacon.bsky.social · 19d

Before & After for my bus, @ripta.com 75. The extra hard kick in the ass is that the Saturday schedule was actually better than the weekday schedule, and now it's just gone. Thanks for everything @govdanmckee.bsky.social

Schedule for RIPTA 75 showing service 7 days a week.

Revised schedule for RIPTA 75 showing no weekend service at all

5 9

Reposted by Liza Birch

Alex Diaz-Papkovich @alexandr.bsky.social · 18d

if you’re ever feeling down I recommend getting a dozen friends and installing planters for traffic calming and beautification

thanks @pvdstreets.bsky.social (and @sueanderbois.bsky.social)!

Katrina Demulling @katrinaspeak.bsky.social · 19d

Helped install planters on N Main St right before Olney St. in Providence, RI. These help keep cars from driving illegally, making it safer for everyone on the street.

Large street planter on North Main St in Providence. Supported by Bloom and Providence Streets Coalition.

3 11

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · 18d

It took 9 months to plan and 24 hrs to give birth to these planter babies! Thanks to my amazing co-parent @dylancgiles.bsky.social! Hoping to do this in many more locations around PVD.

Sue AnderBois @sueanderbois.bsky.social · 19d

Adding beautiful and sturdy safety features to North Main this morning w/ friends from the Providence Streets Coalition & Ward 3 neighbors! Inspiring to see folks dedicating their time to improving our community!

Special thanks to Bloom RI who supported this installation!

1 4

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · 18d

Thank you. We've been fighting long and hard at @pvdstreets.bsky.social to #SaveRIPTA and unfortunately came up short. McKee just doesn't give a shit, and our GA was only willing to plug half the deficit.

4

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · 18d

Thank you so much for amplifying. Dan McKee is mediocrity incarnate who is stifling progress in our state across the board, including stranding thousands of transit riders.

Sam @samd.bsky.social · 19d

it should probably be bigger news that despite having a democratic trifecta, Rhode Island is decimating its public transit network.

Dan McKee is awful and deserves to be primaried (by @helenabfoulkes.bsky.social who has expressed support for funding transit)

Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 19d

RIPTA service cuts go into effect starting TODAY. These cuts were preventable. @GovDanMcKee.bsky.social shortchanged RIPTA in his proposed budget in January. In June, many RI State Senators voted against a last-minute budget amendment that would've directed sustainable funding to RIPTA.🚌⚓️

4

Reposted by Liza Birch

Providence Streets Coalition @pvdstreets.bsky.social · 22d

Thank you to everyone who came out to our R.I.P.-TA Vigil as devastating service cuts loom just days away. 🕯️

Shame on you @govdanmckee.bsky.social for putting riders through this!

A crowd of people under low tree cover are gathered behind reporters with cameras in a plaza with autumn leaves on the ground. A person with a microphone speaks, standing behind a ring of tall candles.

A person speaks into a microphone standing behind a ring of tall glass candles under tree cover with yellow leaves on the ground. Two large banners with white lettering say “SAVE RIPTA” & “FUND TRANSIT”

A person wearing black with a vibrant scarf speaks animatedly into a mic in front of a transit bus shelter with red busway in the background.

Two people hold a sign and one holds an artificial candle. The sign reads

Caution, POLITICIANS are turning on us!

1 13

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · 29d

PEAK COMMUTE from Providence to Pawtucket and back this evening (no bike lights = no riding on N. Main)

home ➡️ 🚲➡️🚤 ➡️🚲 ➡️ @pvdstreets.bsky.social meeting at @mapcenter.com ➡️ 🚲 ➡️ 🚌 ➡️ 🚲 ➡️ home

1 17

Reposted by Liza Birch

Andy Nosal @2feet2bucks.com · Sep 10

Bristol Rhode Island, pretty as a town gets, is the latest 2 feet 2 bucks postcard map of destinations served by @ripta.com

Postcard map of Bristol RI in foreground, shady lawn of Linden Place background

2 4 26

Reposted by Liza Birch

Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · Sep 3

A tale of three state capitals:

It’s disheartening to leave Hartford, CT & Boston, MA, regions with robust CTtransit & MBTA networks, and return to Providence, RI where RIPTA is facing major service cuts in just a few weeks. 😞🚌

4 4 22

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Sep 2

[email protected] is growing! @dylancgiles.bsky.social and I are on the hunt for a kick-ass fundraiser with a passion for sustainable mobility and equitable transportation and desire for a flexible and fun work environment. Learn more here: pvdstreets.org/were-growing/

We're Growing! - Providence Streets Coalition

Are you a kick-ass fundraiser for mission-driven organizations? Do you have a passion for sustainable mobility and equitable transportation? Are you looking

pvdstreets.org

10 17

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Sep 2

Huge thanks to the Public's Radio for having Scott of @growsmartri.bsky.social and I on this morning to talk about RIPTA's impending service cuts:

thepublicsradio.org/transportati...

RIPTA proposes largest cuts to bus service in its history - TPR: The Public's Radio

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority proposed service reductions to nearly all of its bus routes on Thursday as it tries to balance a budget deficit. The proposed cuts, which are laid out in deta...

thepublicsradio.org

4

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 28

One hour into the RIPTA board meeting and public comment is still going strong. Comments from so many riders, drivers, and community orgs as well as Reps Tanzi, Morales, and Sanchez and Senator Vargas.

Notes via @dariaphoebe.com here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

RIPTA board of directors meeting 8/28 1:30pm

RIPTA board of directors meeting 8/28 1:30pm Roll: Schey, Leach, Crowley, Benoit, Alviti, Lombardi, Masino, Georges 1. Board Approval - To consider for approval the Draft Meeting Minutes of the Boar...

docs.google.com

1

Reposted by Liza Birch

Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · Aug 28

I'm sorry but if you’re a Democratic Governor who's touting a revised transit budget plan that still comes at the expense of service cuts, that’s a step in the wrong direction. Leaving this here for Dems who are still trying to figure out how to win back young voters. 🚌🫏🗳️

ripta.com/publichearings

Christopher Gavin @chrisgavin.bsky.social · Aug 25

BREAKING: Gov. McKee, RIPTA CEO announce "a new budget
framework designed to close the remaining deficit."

Details:

1 9 47

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 28

Honored to be interviewed for this comprehensive @providencejournal.bsky.social piece on walkability in Providence alongside friends @sueanderbois.bsky.social & @2feet2bucks.com!

www.providencejournal.com/story/news/l...

Providence ranks as one of the USA's most walkable cities. But is it really?

National lists tout the city's pedestrian friendliness, but many neighborhoods are like islands cut off by high-traffic roadways, advocates say.

www.providencejournal.com

1 2 9

Reposted by Liza Birch

Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · Aug 26

Quoting @holyspokes.bsky.social: "We stopped the murder of RIPTA, but it's still on life support."

Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · Aug 26

Keep calling and putting pressure on @govdanmckee.bsky.social (401-222-2080), Senate President Valarie Lawson (401-222-4901), House Speaker
@joeshekarchi.bsky.social (401-222-2447), as well as your State Reps. & Senators (vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/Polling...)

Remind them that transit is essential! 🚌📢

1 6 21

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 23

Went beyond the Apex last night

1 8

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 20

Haha eeehhhh it's really anywhere on Broadway!!

1

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 20

😂😂😂😂😂😂

2

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 20

Myself and my friends have pedicabbed approximately 1 million wasted white ladies away from the Clarke Cooke House. It's so funny and sad to see one of them making national news for being a drunk idiot.

Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · Aug 20

I have been following this story as it's broken the Rhode Island/National News barrier.

Yesterday a friend who lives in New Jersey texted me about it.

Video captures Rhode Island prosecutor warning officers will 'regret this' as she's arrested at restaurant

Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan and a friend had been asked to leave Clarke Cooke House in Newport when officers arrived, police video showed.

www.nbcnews.com

1 1 7

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 15

Idk who needs to hear this, but in the era of rampant crowdfunding for surgeries and hospital bills, evacuations from warzones, immigration lawyers, rebuilding homes and businesses after natural disasters, etc. — DO NOT SHARE A GOFUNDME FOR YOUR BURNING MAN CAMP IN A GROUP CHAT. FOR F**KS SAKE.

1 3

Liza Birch @holyspokes.bsky.social · Aug 14

Good thing I hustled so hard to submit a tax-exemption application to the IRS this spring/summer ahahahahahahah our government is demolished.

1 6