PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Providence City Council took another step to show its opposition to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's (RIPTA) plans for moving its transit hub away from Kennedy Plaza. During Wednesday's Ordinance Committee meeting, an amendment by Councilman Justin Roias to remove language of the move from Providence's once-a-decade Comprehensive Plan passed. "Public transit users have been loud and clear — the location of the bus hub matters," Roias said. "So many of our residents rely on Kennedy Plaza as a crucial drop-off point, and the language we’ve redacted would have jeopardized that." BACKGROUND: RIPTA moving forward with plans to build centralized bus hub Earlier this year, the City Council passed a resolution signaling that it's against the plan. RIDOT Director Peter Alviti responded to this decision during an appearance on WPRO-AM Thursday morning. "We have been studying relocation of that plaza," Alviti said. "And RIPTA owes it to the folks in the state of Rhode Island because it is a statewide-used transit system. Providence is an important component of that and part of that but the RIPTA board has to look at how our hubs and our service impact the entire state." Alviti also mentioned that RIPTA is a state agency and "the operation and capital improvements and the location of our hubs and resources" are determined by the board. READ MORE: Providence City Council pushing back against RIPTA’s bus hub plan A spokesperson for Mayor Brett Smiley shared a similar sentiment, telling 12 News the decision "will ultimately be made by the state." RIPTA's interim CEO, Christopher Durand, said early results from public engagement sessions showed "the location near the train station is a leading choice" for riders. "We will continue to maintain a presence in Kennedy Plaza while improving Rhode Island’s transit infrastructure for the future," Durand added. "In contrast to the current sprawling footprint of Kennedy Plaza, which is spread out across an urban park, the new transit center will modernize Rhode Island’s transportation system, providing a single central location with upgraded amenities and an overall experience that riders have a right to expect." The Comprehensive Plan's next hearing is on Wednesday Oct. 9. ALSO READ: Riders weigh in on RIPTA’s plan to move transit center out of Kennedy Plaza Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW