Council withdraws and will rewrite resolution opposing Comedy Bus jitney application as PUC hearing set aside

The City Council received a notice from the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers concerning an application by Comedy Bus LLC for a jitney license to run comedy/tour jitneys in Newport. Councilors discussed the application, the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) role, and next steps.

Councilor (sponsor) announced a draft resolution opposing the application but withdrew it at the meeting so it could be rewritten with stronger language. The sponsor noted the PUC had not set a new hearing date; the PUC meeting that had been scheduled was canceled. Councilors and residents raised concerns including noise, route circulation through every ward and Ocean Drive, and lack of glass windows on the vehicle. One councilor said the service "is a tourist thing" and expressed concern about neighborhood noise.

Why it matters: The PUC has regulatory authority over jitney and private carrier licenses, which limits municipal ability to ban a service outright if the PUC grants the license on a need-and-convenience basis. Councilors pledged to pursue the matter at the PUC and to rework local resolution language. The sponsor said they would present a redrafted resolution at the next meeting.