About Transportation Working Group

The Transportation Working Group is led by our partner organization Bike Newport. This working group explores how to increase resident use of active transportation (walking and biking) and public transportation; as well as advocate for transportation equity. Beyond the physical and emotional health benefits of active transportation, any mode of transportation allows one to access many health related services and reduces the feeling of isolation and stress.

Background

The Transportation Working Group works to help HEZ residents advocate for transportation infrastructure that allows all people to travel to their destinations in safe, timely, and healthy ways.  The focuses of the group come from the HEZ needs assessments and from the Active Transportation Plan developed by the HEZ in 2017.  The Transportation Working Group overlaps with the HEZ’s Greening Urban Spaces Working Group and Civic Engagement.

Goals:

• Assist in development and passage of a Green and Complete Streets Ordinance/Policy for the City of Newport. 
• Improve the RIPTA 231 Flex Bus system to meet the needs of HEZ residents.
• Advocate for a beach bus that serves HEZ residents.
• Provide input to City transportation initiatives and assist HEZ residents in providing their own input.  These efforts include the North End Urban Plan, the Pell Bridge realignment, and the Newport Transportation Master Plan.
• Provide input to the Newport Transportation Planning Committee.