RIPTA Approves Pay Increases For Bus Drivers

RHODE ISLAND — The board of directors for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) voted Thursday to approve an agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Division (ATU) 618 to increase starting wages for bus drivers.

Under the new contract, starting driver wages will increase from $21.71 per hour to $25.33 per hour. RIPTA officials said the new wages went into effect this week.

Additionally, the top pay step of existing union member salaries, other than van operators, will increase by $1, with lower pay steps adjusted accordingly. ATU 618 represents RIPTA’s 488 current fixed-route and paratransit drivers.

The current collective bargaining agreement does not expire until June 30, 2025, but RIPTA officials said they reopened the contract early in response to the nationwide shortage of licensed commercial drivers. Despite extensive recruitment efforts, drivers continue to retire more quickly than RIPTA can recruit new ones.

"This crucial wage increase benefits not only our drivers, but our passengers as well," RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian said. "This will enable us to attract and retain drivers, ensuring that the public can rely on RIPTA to be there when the bus schedule says we are going to be there."

As part of an initiative to recruit new drivers, RIPTA officials said they will host a job fair on from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15 at its headquarters at 705 Elmwood Ave. in Providence.

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