Having a gambling house just over the city line raised the odds that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority might start commuter bus service between Fall River and Providence
FALL RIVER – Mayor Jasiel Correia II bet that the Twin River casino could bring more to the region than people feeling lucky.
Having a gambling house just over the city line raised the odds that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority might start commuter bus service between Fall River and Providence, he said.
That bet is looking better by the day.
“We met with the Twin River people last summer to talk about working together,” Correia said. “We felt strongly that they have better connections in Rhode Island. For one thing, Twin River pays a lot of taxes.”
So when Correia met last summer with John Taylor, the chair of the Twin River Management Group, he raised the issue of lobbying RIPTA for a casino run.
The plan is working.
“We have had some conversations with SRTA about potential bus service to Fall River and possibly the casino in Tiverton,” said Barbara Polichetti, the communications director for RIPTA. “We do recognize that there is a need to connect people with job opportunities across state lines and we recognize that there can also be savings in collaborative efforts.”
“SRTA and RIPTA have been talking about developing a meaningful connection between Providence and Fall River,” said Erik Rousseau, the SRTA administrator.
“There is plenty of mutual interest, however there are a number of hurdles. Funding is the biggest challenge.” A lack of funding support by the state has hampered the ability of regional transit authorities to add to the service they offer, he said.
But the city will do what it can to push the idea because it is needed, Correia said.
“It is a great opportunity for people here,” he said. “There are people who can’t get to Providence to work. It is the same with Boston. I think that is a transportation injustice. Our people can’t get to two capital cities that are nearby.”
The plan under discussion is for a RIPTA bus to take Interstate 195 from Providence to north Tiverton with a SRTA connection there running into Fall River.
The casino is scheduled to open in October. Transit authorities have accepted that as a deadline, Correia said.
“It will be tied to the opening of the casino,” he said. “Really, that is good for them.”
The talks are continuing.
“It is slow,” Correia said. “People are receptive, but it is complicated. It is tough to cross borders.
“The two transit authorities are in discussion. It won’t happen overnight. But at least it is moving in the right direction.”
Email Kevin P. O’Connor at koconnor@heraldnews.com.