TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I support TCI because New England desperately needs investment in the transportation sector. Electric vehicle infrastructure will save consumers money, reduce local air pollution, and reduce climate-warming emissions. Investment in public transit will help reduce congestion and expand mobility for all, while fighting climate change. We need this!

Though retired I still drive, use buses and trains, bike, and care about my community. The TCI should improve all of the above. For climate change I would prioritize electrification of our region's commuter rail, connecting the bike paths to the urban core, and changing car fees so more polluting cars pay higher fees.

Understanding that transportation contributes approximately 1/3 of carbon emissions and that in Rhode Island which is fairly representative of a fleet of 224 stock, only 3 of RIPTA's vehicles are electric, I endorse the Transportation & Climate Initiative. We need strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation which is basic for food supply and labor transport. Our ports needs to be electrified so that ships are not operating their dirty bunker oil generators while in port, and landside services support the port operations. I support a comprehensive plan for addressing these concerns through appropriate financial pressure points.

I support this initiative because transportation is one of the primary barriers to equality in our state, and also the largest contributor of carbon emissions in RI. Many patients at the Pawtucket, RI, medical clinic where I work miss important appointments because of transportation limitations. Pedestrian and bicycle options are poor in Pawtucket--people feel unsafe walking in areas with no pedestrian crosswalks, lights, or lights that do not work. If more of our patients could walk or bike to work, school, their clinic, or the grocery store, we would undoubtedly see improvements in markers of chronic noncommunicable disease (e.g. obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.). Additionally, if public transportation options were improved, many of our patients' daily stress levels would be reduced: their work commute times could be lowered and they could accomplish essential tasks more easily and cheaply. If public transportation options were increased while simultaneously lowering average vehicle emissions, one would also anticipate significantly lower rates of asthma, a condition which has direct relationship to exhaust particulate matter (in fact, the likelihood of an asthma-related pediatric emergency department visit tracks closely to house proximity to major highways in RI). More, better, and greener transportation options would create a healthier Rhode Island.

I support TCI and want Rhode Island to invest equitably in clean transportation strategies that improve air quality and mobility in our overburdened communities.

I support TCI because: I want better public transportation options; transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in my state and we have to act on climate; the transportation status quo is hurting overburdened communities especially hard; Rhode Island needs complete streets and bike paths to keep children safe; better connected communities are more vibrant communities; I want Rhode Island to invest equitably in clean transportation strategies that improve air quality and mobility in our overburdened communities; clean transportation is an opportunity for economic growth and new jobs; rural communities need more public transportation options; more trains to Boston will keep Rhode Island competitive in our regional economy; tailpipe pollution is adding to asthma and heart disease and costing millions of dollars in extra healthcare costs; traffic congestion around downtown Providence is spewing pollution into the neighborhoods; less fossil fuels coming into Rhode Island will mean cleaner air and better land use around the Port of Providence; cleaning up port operations will help clean up the air in Providence communities; better public transportation will help reduce traffic congestion and its great societal cost; cleaner electric vehicles are better for the climate, our local environment, and our economy; better public transportation will help more people access more jobs and basic services; we all need more mobility options; we should be able to get around our communities without needing to own a car; our region sends billions of dollars in fossil fuel purchases out of our economy to other parts of the country; I want Rhode Island to pursue the most ambitious emissions cap possible; I want Rhode Island to build mobility hubs in all communities; I want Rhode Island to build Bus Rapid Transit lanes; I want Rhode Island to invest in more train service throughout the state; I want Rhode Island to invest in more park and ride lots with transit service; I want Rhode Island to invest in more bikeshare services; I want Rhode Island to invest in more electric vehicles and public charging stations; and I want Rhode Island to invest in more paratransit to improve mobility for all.

I support TCI because I want cleaner and quicker public transportation. I use public transportation frequently, and know that many people rely on it to travel to work. We need a faster, cleaner, regional transportation system!

I support the TCI. The northeast *must* lead the way to a renewable energy future, urgently. Combustion-powered vehicles must go the way of the horse and buggy this decade -- there is no time left to waste. Low-income communities must be assisted in the transition, too.

I support TCI because clean transportation is an opportunity for economic growth and new jobs.