Regarding Pawt. bus transport
Dear Mr. McCormick and Mr. English:
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions. I will attempt to answer several issues for you.
First of all, Shea High School and Tolman High School have not received Pawtucket secondary school bus services since the 1960's. This was part of a series of budget cuts performed when I was in elementary school.
Unfortunately, I do not recall the circumstances as to why the economic moves were performed. Nevertheless, the majority of Shea High School students depends on RIPTA services because most Shea students live one or two miles away from the East Avenue school.
By the way, with the anticipated $5 million shortfall in Pawtucket schools for 2008-2009, I do not reasonably believe the city will sacrifice job cuts and budget cuts for teachers and textbooks for extended secondary private bus services.
Secondly, three new high schools have been added to Pawtucket within the past decade. The Jackie Walsh School for the Performing Arts, with 100 students, was founded on Exchange and Foundation Streets in 2003. The Alternative Learning Program High School, with 50 plus students is located on Main Street in the Teaching and Learning Center. Charter school Blackstone Academy, on Pleasant Street near Shea High Schol, has about 100 high school students.
Third of all, I am sorry if you take offense at the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority being called a monopoly. By definition from the United States History texts such as ''Foundations in History'', a monopoly is a sole provider of goods and services to a consumer that non one sles can provide. Can a student get a bus ride outsie of RIPTA? I do not think this is true.
By the way, Mr. McCormick and Mr. English, the term ''monopoly'' is not necessarily negative. Some monopolies are worthwhile if they earnestly servde the public trust. For instance, the former AT&T, and National Grid are two monopolies who try to serve the public need for a product or service.
Fourth of all, if RIPTA tried to contact all students of the schedule changes, some presumptions were made: Did all the students understand what was said? Was the notice to parents written in other Pawtucket languages of Spanish, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean?
In conclusion, ancient Pawtucket budget cuts, the economic strain of new high schools, increased student population, and new ethnic populations have resulted in an increased need for RIPTA transportation. I hope RIPTA can make the needed changes to get Shea, Tolman, JMW, ALP, and Blackstone Academy students to school on time every day.
