After a hit-and-run incident in a McDonald’s drive-thru, R.I. Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) CEO Scott Avedisian submitted his resignation letter to Gov. Dan McKee, ending his six-year tenure. A special meeting of the RIPTA board was convened to discuss the situation and finalize Avedisian’s separation agreement, with the board planning to vote on the agreement the following Tuesday. Avedisian highlighted various improvements made at RIPTA during his time as CEO in his resignation letter, expressing regret that recent events overshadowed the employees’ hard work.
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who had been advocating for Avedisian’s departure for over a year, viewed his resignation as an opportunity for a fresh start for RIPTA. Multiple witnesses reported that Avedisian appeared intoxicated at the time of the hit-and-run, despite him pleading not guilty to the charges. Avedisian’s lawyer refuted claims of his intoxication, and the case is being handled by R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office. Avedisian, a former mayor of Warwick, was appointed as the head of RIPTA in 2018, and has refrained from addressing the public since the incident.
In light of these events, the RIPTA board is expected to conduct a thorough search for a new CEO and bring in a seasoned transit professional to navigate the challenges faced by the agency. Avedisian’s resignation marks a pivotal moment for RIPTA, as the organization grapples with budget shortfalls and driver shortages. As negotiations for Avedisian’s severance package continue, the public awaits the board’s final decision regarding his departure.