PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Changes are coming to bus services in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's (RIPTA) board approved a proposal to address its financial troubles that includes some service reductions and fare increases during a meeting on Thursday.

The changes will allow RIPTA to address the remaining $10 million of its $17.6 million budget shortfall.

Following backlash to RIPTA's initial proposal to address the shortfall, RIPTA CEO Christopher Durand and Gov. Dan McKee announced Monday that they had developed a new budget framework that would prevent bus routes from being completely eliminated. The original proposal planned to cut 11 regular and flex routes, five park-and-ride routes and seven route segments, as well as 15 weekend and holiday routes.

The pl

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