Route 9X, a commuter bus line connecting rural towns such as Burrillville, Glocester, and Smithfield to Providence, is slated for full elimination this fall. A final decision will be made during a vote today, Aug. 7, by RIPTA’s board of directors on a sweeping package of service cuts.

The broader proposal would impact 58 of the state’s 67 bus routes and eliminate 17 entirely. For residents in the northwest corner of the state, the loss of Route 9X would mean no direct bus access to Providence and few, if any, viable alternatives for reaching work, medical appointments, or connecting service.

According to RIPTA’s official impact statement, the 9X currently runs 11 weekday trips, from 6:05 a.m. to 6:32 p.m., with no weekend service. The agency says the cut is necessary due to a budget defi

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