Dinsmore, Paul - Paul Dinsmore Law Offices in Rumford, RI

John Burridge asked a question

I would like to know whether you think the following makes a good case against RIPTA for breach of contract.

In 2015 I qualified for, and received, a RIPTA Senior No-fare Pass with an expiration date of April, 2020, and paid $5.00 for the pass.

I am 83 years of age, on food stamps, and officially recognized as handicapped by the DMV.

Now, barely one year into the five-year term of that contract, RIPTA announced unilaterally that it will no longer recognize the pass for which I paid.

RIPTA wants me to re-qualify under new and more restrictive guidelines for a new pass that will not even have the advantages of my present pass, but will require the payment of a reduced fare for each ride.

Not only is this a clear breach of contract, it is contrary to the very purpose of RIPTA since the new policy will discourage the use of public transportation with all of its advantages.

Of course, your fee and costs will have to come out of the “back end” – if I could afford them “up front”, I would not be arguing about a bus pass.

John T. Burridge
190 Waterman Avenue
East Providence, Rhode Island 02914
401-435-4880
burridge@cox.net