Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

Meet Domingo, one of RIPTA’s newest Paratransit Drivers. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Domingo moved to Providence seven years ago and has been behind the wheel ever since. For the past three years, he drove school buses in East Providence, gaining valuable experience while developing a love for the road. What Domingo enjoys most about driving is the opportunity to explore new places. He’s always keeping an eye out for restaurants during his routes so he can try them out in his free time. A big fan of Mexican cuisine, tacos top his list of favorite foods. Domingo believes punctuality is key to being a good driver. "You need to be on time," he says, emphasizing the importance of reliability and consistency when serving passengers. We’re thrilled to have Domingo’s enthusiasm and love for adventure on our team, and we know he’ll bring his dedication and positive energy to RIPTA every day! Want to drive for RIPTA? Visit RIPTA.com/careers

We’re excited to welcome Jean to RIPTA as a Paratransit Driver! Originally from Haiti, Jean moved to Rhode Island 15 years ago and currently resides in Warwick. With 13 years of experience driving school buses, he’s ready for a new challenge—this time working with adult passengers. Jean is passionate about driving, especially when it takes him out of the city and along scenic back roads. He loves trying new things and continuously pushing himself to improve. “I like to challenge myself,” he says. “It’s how you get better.” His approach to safe driving is grounded in awareness, knowledge of the laws, and a readiness to react to any situation. Jean is a family man, living with his wife, son, daughter, and three small dogs: Mickey, Elly, and Leo. He’s also a big soccer fan, with Brazil as his favorite team, and enjoys playing soccer with his kids. On weekends, you might find him cheering at the Rhode Island Football Club games. We’re excited to have Jean’s dedication, experience, and passion for safe driving on our team, and we know he’ll be a valuable addition to RIPTA! Want to drive with us? Visit RIPTA.com/careers

We’re excited to welcome Ligia as a Paratransit Driver at RIPTA! With 20 years of experience as a CDL driver, Ligia brings extensive expertise to her new role. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she recently made the move from Massachusetts to downtown Providence, ready to embrace a new chapter in Rhode Island’s transit community. Ligia spent a decade driving for the MBTA in Massachusetts before transitioning to driving school buses for special needs students. She acknowledges the unique challenges of each job and is excited to shift gears to RIPTA. “I like to drive,” she says. “You’re out talking to people, directly with people, helping people. That’s why I drive; that’s what I like.” When asked about the traffic differences between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, she jokes, “Traffic in Massachusetts? There’s no time of day when there isn’t traffic. Rhode Island is completely different.” She thrives outdoors, whether she’s on the road or spending her free time in nature. “I’m not an office person,” she laughs. She loves the beach in the summer and driving in the fall, when she can enjoy the changing colors of the trees. Ligia believes that safety, kindness, and awareness are the keys to being a good driver, values she’s eager to bring to her new role. Family ties brought her to RIPTA—some of her relatives work as fixed-route drivers, while others are happily retired from the agency. Ligia is drawn by the opportunity for stability and security as she plans for her retirement. She has three children who live in Massachusetts, and when she’s not working, she loves hitting the gym, particularly lifting weights. Ligia is looking forward to learning the routes and becoming an integral part of the RIPTA community. We’re thrilled to have Ligia’s passion and experience on board, and we know she’ll be an asset to our team and the passengers she serves! Join our team! Visit RIPTA.com/careers today.

We’re excited to welcome Joseph to RIPTA as a Paratransit Driver! Originally from Los Angeles, Joseph frequently traveled to the East Coast to visit friends who worked in the area. During those visits, he fell in love with the area and eventually made Rhode Island his home in 2002. He worked part-time as a chauffeur and spent several years in retail working for Harley-Davidson before joining RIPTA. Joseph brings a wealth of experience from his varied career, having worked as a delivery driver, chauffeur, and even as the owner of a car service company. Joseph is eager to serve others in his new role. “There is a need,” he says. “People need to go somewhere.” He’s passionate about making a positive difference for passengers while providing for his family. He’s excited about the opportunity to help people, maintain the equipment, and navigate different routes each day. Today, Joseph lives in Cumberland with his wife, who is originally from Belgium. They have two children: a married son with a 7-month-old baby and a daughter who is studying at Roger Williams University. Outside of work, Joseph is very involved in his church and loves spending time with his family. He enjoys working on his home, mowing the lawn, and staying fit. For him, the best part about driving is “the peace of it,” adding that passengers are often happy simply to have a ride. We’re thrilled to have Joseph on board, and with his dedication, passion for serving others, and strong work ethic, we know he’ll be a valuable addition to the RIPTA team! Join the RIPTA family! Visit RIPTA.com/careers to apply today.

We’re excited to introduce Luis as a new Paratransit Driver at RIPTA! With a diverse background in driving trucks, buses, tractor trailers, and even limousines, Luis brings a wealth of experience to his role. His true passion, however, lies in working with people, making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and cared for while on the road. Luis was most recently a fill-in school bus driver, and his favorite part of the job was the connections he made with passengers. He’s looking forward to continuing that at RIPTA, where he’s eager to make a positive impact. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, Luis moved to Massachusetts to ensure his daughter could receive medical care at Shriners Hospital. Today, she’s a healthy 27-year-old serving in the Coast Guard—something Luis is incredibly proud of. He now resides in Cranston with his wife, while his four children are spread out between Massachusetts and Florida. Luis has a unique dream: to one day have a pet parrot! He’s fascinated by how they mimic human voices and even imitate dogs. When he’s not driving, Luis enjoys spending his weekends fishing—his favorite way to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. We’re thrilled to have Luis on board, and with his enthusiasm, driving skills, and dedication to passenger safety, we’re confident he’ll be an excellent addition to the RIPTA team! Want to work for RIPTA? Visit RIPTA.com/careers

We are excited to welcome Christopher as a new Utility Worker on the 6pm to 2am shift. In his role, Christopher will be responsible for cleaning, fueling, and checking the fluids of our paratransit vans—an essential part of keeping our fleet running smoothly. Christopher brings valuable experience from his previous role at Amazon, where he worked as a dispatcher, driver, and fleet manager. He believes that this background will greatly benefit him in his new position at RIPTA. He sees this as a great opportunity for growth and advancement. Of Salvadoran and Belizean descent, Christopher is a proud graduate of Central Falls High School and continues to reside in Central Falls. In his spare time, he enjoys relaxing with his girlfriend. We’re thrilled to have Christopher on board and look forward to seeing the impact he’ll make on our team! Want to join our crew? Visit RIPTA.com/careers

For the twelfth year in a row, RIPTA received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for our FY 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The award is the “highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management,” the association stated in its letter to RIPTA. “This award underscores our ongoing dedication to responsible stewardship of public resources, and we’re honored to receive it once again," says Chris Durand, RIPTA Chief Executive Officer.

Meet Valerie, a dedicated Paratransit Operator and Spare Coordinator at RIPTA. With her infectious enthusiasm and strong work ethic, Valerie brings a unique energy to her role every day. Growing up in Central Falls and now living in Providence, Valerie’s journey has been anything but ordinary. She initially pursued an associate's degree in criminal justice in California, with dreams of becoming a lawyer. However, life had other plans, and she eventually moved back to Rhode Island. After a stint as a school bus driver in North Providence and experience in customer service, Valerie was encouraged by friends working at RIPTA to join the team. A typical day for Valerie involves a lot of moving parts: assisting drivers, managing schedules, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. “We’re here to make sure customers get picked up on time, drivers get their breaks, and everyone has a good day,” she says. Though it can get hectic at times, Valerie’s coworkers keep her grounded. “Everyone’s pretty much like family here,” says Valerie. Plus, her commitment and positivity make her a natural fit for her role. “I show up every day, ask questions, and stay observant.” Reflecting on her journey at RIPTA, Valerie shares, “I never expected to be recognized like this. I don’t do the job for recognition; I genuinely enjoy helping people. I love what I do.” Her original goal was to drive fixed-route buses, but after the arrival of her baby, she found the flexibility she needed in her current role. Outside of work, Valerie’s life is centered around her two daughters, ages five and ten months, and two dogs, Marble and Red. “Having kids is not for the weak!” she laughs. Valerie enjoys taking her daughters to trampoline parks and local favorites like pumpkin patches and apple orchards—perfect for Rhode Island’s fall season. Valerie Diaz embodies the spirit of RIPTA with her kindness, dedication, and ability to brighten any room. We’re lucky to have her on our team! Want to join the RIPTA family? Visit RIPTA.com/careers

For Gerson, driving a big bus is more than just a job—it’s a thrill. “You feel on top of the world,” he says, describing the view from behind the wheel. Originally from Haiti, Gerson moved to Johnston, Rhode Island, six years ago and has been honing his skills as a bus driver ever since. After spending a year driving school buses and becoming comfortable with the size and handling of larger vehicles, he decided it was time to take the leap and join RIPTA. Gerson believes the key to being a great driver is simple but crucial: be on time and never rush. “Even if you’re running late, don’t try to speed up,” he advises. “That’s when mistakes happen.” His steady and thoughtful approach is sure to be a great asset as he begins this new chapter. We’re thrilled to have Gerson on board and can’t wait to see his passion for driving translate into excellent service for RIPTA passengers! Want to join the RIPTA team? Visit RIPTA.com/careers

We love this Grow Smart RI interview with Kristen Adamo of GoProvidence on how a robust public transit network supports tourism and the state's economy!