Just before I left my Randall Manor apartment this morning to catch RIPTA bus 30 in Knightsville, Cranston I heard a caller to 630 WPRO Gene Valicenti's morning news and talk show bring up the topic of RIPTA bus riding health hazards. In Kennedy Plaza there were no bus schedules to be read on the electronic messaging inside the bus shelter. Just a dumb message that RIPTA is being more conscientious about cleaning. Not too reassuring ! How to verify ? Send a PROJO reporter ?
Apart from the Corona Virus pandemic scare a crowded warm bus with no fresh air circulation is always a threat to the health of vulnerable passengers, especially senior citizens. NOT riding the bus is not an option for most seniors in Rhode Island. We should have the most efficient public transportation in the country. ALL of Rhode Island should be reachable to all RIPTA riders.
When there is a rude , ignorant , and stupid person on the bus coughing like a 19th century tuberculosis ward ( or a homeless case daily evicted from notorious Harrington Hall in Cranston ) the RIPTA bus driver should don his AUTHORITY hat and scold the rude cougher : " Cover your mouth, use facial tissues ! " The bus driver should have a supply of hospital face masks to offer the chronic coughers.
Even public libraries should be more careful about communicable diseases. FINALLY the Cranston Public Library has a supply of hand sanitizer and posters in the public computer area reminding users of public hygiene manners.
While waiting for BUS 35 in Kennedy Plaza last week I talked to some RIPTA officials standing nearby . I asked them why on a rainy day non-smokers like myself cannot escape from as many as two or three smoking addicts INSIDE the shelter . " The rule [ there IS a NO SMOKING sign ] is never enforced ", I complained. The oh-so-competent and concerned RIPTA official told me that the company and the Providence Police had given up on that .
RIPTA can just give up on PUBLIC HEALTH safety ? The mean Corona Virus has a friend in RIPTA !
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Ron