RI DMV Extending Wednesday Closings

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Fri, 2010-03-12 16:22

The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the agency will be extending the Wednesday closings to complete extensive cleanup of DMV data and to provide further training for DMV staff and its many interface partners.  The conversion to the new system is expected to occur by the end of June 2010.

To accommodate the extended training schedule, DMV branch locations in Woonsocket, Middletown, Wakefield, RI Mall, and Warren will continue to change their days of operation (see attached sheet for current days and hours of operation).   Road exams will continue to be offered each weekday, including Wednesdays, from the DMV's road test site in Pawtucket, and the DMV safety and emissions garage (Melrose St., Providence) will remain open Monday to Friday.  In addition, the public will be able to process transactions on-line at www.dmv.ri.gov, at local AAA offices, and through the mail.  

Filed Under:
0

New Mass. RMV Services to be Unveiled

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Tue, 2010-03-09 16:11

MASSDOT TO UNVEIL TWO NEW SERVICES FOR CANCELING LICENSE PLATES THAT WILL ELIMINATE NEED TO WAIT IN LINE

(Boston, MA)-As part of Governor Deval Patrick’s reform plan to strengthen customer service and make transportation agencies more accountable, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will introduce and demonstrate two new Registry of Motor Vehicles initiatives that will eliminate the need for customers to wait in line at branches for one of the simplest registry services-canceling a registration plate.

WHO:  Registrar Rachel Kaprielian


WHERE: Watertown RMV Branch, 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown

WHEN:  Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 10:30am

Filed Under:
1

RIPTA to Alter Bus Routes in Newport for St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Tue, 2010-03-09 16:02

RIPTA to Alter Bus Routes in Newport
On Saturday, March 13, 2010 for
St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Detours will occur between 8:45 am and 1:30 pm

Providence, Rhode Island, March 9, 2010 – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will detour bus routes in Newport on Saturday, March 13, 2010 to accommodate the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The following route changes will be in effect on Saturday, March 13, 2010:  

Filed Under:
0

RI Gas Prices Still Creeping Up

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Mon, 2010-03-08 10:55

GAS PRICES UP FOUR CENTS, SAYS AAA

Gasoline prices in Rhode Island are up an average of four cents per gallon this week, the second consecutive week of increases, according to AAA Southern New England.

AAA’s March 8 survey of prices in Rhode Island found self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.75 per gallon, four cents higher than last week and five cents more than two weeks ago. The current price is equal to the national average for regular unleaded of $2.75.  A year ago at this time Rhode Island’s average price was $1.96—79 cents lower than today’s numbers.

Filed Under:
0

$13M in Transportation Projects for RI

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Fri, 2010-03-05 17:34

Congressional Delegation Announces Over $13 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Transportation Projects in Rhode Island

Washington, D.C. - Rhode Island's congressional delegation today announced that $13,693,931 has been awarded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) for projects throughout the state.  This funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was supported by all members of the delegation.  In 2009, RIDOT reports that the Recovery Act created or saved over 1,900 jobs.

 

·        $ 8,756,686 to RIPTA for critical infrastructure improvements such as Kennedy Plaza Bus Lane Renovations, Bus Shelter Installation/Rapid Bus Program, Maintenance Facility Improvements as well as for Operating Assistance.

Filed Under:
0

Texting Ban, Elderly Driving Tests in Mass. Driving Bill

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Tue, 2010-03-02 18:36

BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts Senate is taking up a bill that would ban text messaging while driving.

The ban is included in legislation that would also require drivers 75 and older to undergo cognitive and physical screenings every three years.

Senators were scheduled to formally debate the bill Tuesday.

Many of the Senate bill's provisions are included in a measure that's already been approved by the House, including the texting ban. But the Senate bill doesn't include a proposed requirement that drivers use hands-free devices while speaking on a cell phone.

After the Senate acts, the bills will be merged in a conference committee before final debate and a vote.

The legislation comes after several serious or fatal accidents involving texting or elderly drivers.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Filed Under:
1

RI, Mass. Gas Prices See First Increase Since January

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Mon, 2010-03-01 12:19

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Gas prices in Rhode Island have gone up for the first time in more than a month.

AAA Southern New England says in its weekly survey Monday that self-serve regular unleaded is averaging $2.71 per gallon, or a penny more than last week.

The average price from a year ago at this time was $1.96.

AAA says this is the first time prices have increased since mid-January.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

 

BOSTON (AP) - Gasoline prices have risen 2 cents on average in Massachusetts, the first weekly increase since mid-January.

AAA Southern New England says its most recent survey finds self-serve, regular averaging $2.64 a gallon in the Bay State. That's six cents below the national average of $2.70 a gallon.

Filed Under:
0

Gas Prices Hold Steady in Rhode Island, Creeping Down in Mass.

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Mon, 2010-02-22 12:23

After falling for four straight weeks, gasoline prices in Rhode Island are unchanged today, according to AAA Southern New England.

AAA’s February 22 survey of prices in Rhode Island found self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.70 per gallon, the same price as last week. The current price is six cents above the national average for regular unleaded of $2.64.  A year ago at this time Rhode Island’s average price was $1.98—72 cents lower than today’s numbers.

The range in prices in the latest local AAA survey for unleaded regular is 22 cents, from a low of $2.629 to a high of $2.849. AAA advises motorists to shop around for the best prices in their area, and to make sure they and their passengers buckle up — every time.    

 

BOSTON (AP) - Gas prices in Massachusetts have inched down for the fifth consecutive week.

Filed Under:
0

TF Green Hoping for Rebound with Upgrades

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Mon, 2010-02-22 12:14

Warwick, Rhode Island  (February 22, 2010) - There are signs of encouragement at Green Airport (PVD) as airlines are slowly increasing seat capacity or adding frequency in a number of markets.   

Green, like most airports, has experienced a steady decline in both available seats and passenger activity, which began in earnest in 2008 due to rapidly rising fuel costs for the carriers.  It continued as the economy further declined the past two years.   However, recent additions and upgraded aircraft have signaled a positive change, which will hopefully continue as the economy rebounds.

Delta Airlines, which reinstituted large jet service to Atlanta for a short period in November, restarted that mainline MD-88 service on February 11th. The other two departures are on 76-seat, two-class cabin, CRJ-900 aircraft.  All three flights are on larger aircraft than those used the same period last year.

Filed Under:
1

RIDOT Releases Report on Stimulus-Funded Projects

Submitted by Chris Boardman on Wed, 2010-02-17 15:21

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today released “Putting People to Work,” a report on Rhode Island’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funded projects.  The release of the document coincides with the one-year anniversary, February 17, 2009, of the signing of the Act.

“This report highlights the success of the ARRA program in Rhode Island and how it has put people to work,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “By the end of 2009, $9.4 million in wages had been earned by 1,929 people who have benefited directly from ARRA.”

Filed Under:
0