“Somehow we heard rumors to the effect that people were not happy with the bus route.”  That was RIOC President Herb Berman, speaking sardonically Thursday morning about e-mails he received about RIOC’s 107 days of experimentation with the Red Bus route.  The e-mails had ranged from mild anger through sneering descriptions of the collective brainpower at 591 Main Street.

Board Chair Mary Beth Labate interjected, taking up the spirit of the moment, “I want to thank everyone for their kind e-mails.”

Berman continued his President’s report: “It certainly started my morning interestingly, reading the e-mails, but I think that the process is such that everybody is to be commended in that there was participation...”

Labate: “Without bloodshed.”

Berman agreed: “Without bloodshed.  It was an example of how people can have an impact upon the outcome.”

He went on to point out that the Red Bus is back to its old schedule and route, with an added stop near Blackwell House to serve Southtown residents.

RIOC implemented the return to scheduled operations, with buses waiting for Tram arrivals, last Monday, March 29.