RIPTA Launches Year-Long Free Transit Pilot Program

Beginning September 1, 2022 on the R-Line

 

Complementary Paratransit Service Will Also Be Fare Free

 

Providence, Rhode Island, September 1, 2022 – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) today announced the launch of a free fare pilot program on the R-Line, RIPTA’s most frequent and highest-ridership route, connecting Providence and Pawtucket.

 

This free fare pilot program, funded with $2.5 million in the state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2022, is the result of legislation sponsored by Senator Meghan E. Kallman and Representative Leonela Felix. The funding will be used to replace lost fare revenue, purchase Automatic Passenger Counters, perform a required FTA Title VI Analysis, and prepare an evaluation report to the General Assembly.

 

This pilot program presents a unique opportunity to study the benefits and potential drawbacks of fare free transit service in Rhode Island. RIPTA will analyze a variety of factors, including: ridership impacts on the R-Line, other RIPTA routes, and paratransit service; service reliability; financial impacts to RIPTA and transit riders; and environmental impacts.

 

“We want to thank the Senate for this funding opportunity which will allow us to learn what free fare programs may mean for public transportation," said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA's Chief Executive Officer. "This pilot will give more people an opportunity to ride our busiest route, the R-Line, which connects Cranston, Providence, and Pawtucket. This project complements our ongoing free fare pilot program in Central Falls, and together these initiatives will guide fare discussions in the future. We look forward to sharing the findings with our elected officials in order to ensure continued growth of ridership on RIPTA and sustainable public transportation for our state."

 

Passengers traveling on all other routes are required to pay the full fare.

 

Fare-Free Paratransit RIde Service

During the pilot program period, paratransit service will also be fare free for passengers making trips that begin and end within 3/4 mile of the R-line.  

 

Ride Free Central Falls

This is not RIPTA’s first free fare pilot program. Earlier this year, RIPTA launched a “Ride Free Central Falls” pilot program which allows passengers to board for free in Central Falls when using a Wave smart card or mobile app. This pilot is testing the effectiveness of using geofencing technology to promote the use of public transportation. To learn more about this pilot, visit RIPTA.com/CentralFalls.

 

Wave

Launched in September 2020, Wave gives passengers the option of paying their bus fare with either a reloadable smart card or a new mobile app and is already being used by thousands of RIPTA customers.  More details, including an instructional video, are available at RIPTA.com/wave.

 

For more information on RIPTA’s programs and services, visit RIPTA.com or call 401-781-9400.

 

Severe flash flooding in the East Coast has killed at least two people. The two were killed in New Jersey after their car was swept away by high waters. The storm system yesterday sent floodwaters rushing through New York subway stations, causing mass transit nightmares.        President Trump says Ukrainian President Zelensky should not target Moscow with military attacks. This after multiple reports said Trump spoke with Zelensky on July Fourth and asked if Ukraine could strike the Russian capital. Earlier today, the White House said Trump was "merely asking a question, not encouraging further killing."        A weather system could bring heavy rain to parts of Florida. The system being monitored was designated Invest 93-L by the National Hurricane Center which indicates an area that is under increased scrutiny for the possibility of tropical development. According to forecasts, tropical moisture will enhance the intensity of the slow-moving storms over Florida with the possibility of producing one to three inches of rain per hour.        President Trump says the U.S. is destined to be the world's number one superpower in artificial intelligence. He spoke at the Inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit on Tuesday. The event brought together some of the top leaders and investors in energy and AI.        Two familiar names are early favorites for the 2028 presidential election. A recent poll released by Echelon Insights found that Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President JD Vance as frontrunners for their respective parties. Harris received 26-percent of support among Democrats and Democratic-leading voters in a presidential primary survey while Vance received 43-percent support among Republicans.        Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" may not hit theaters until next year, but movie goers will be able to book their tickets starting this week. Tickets will go on sale Thursday for select showings at IMAX theaters that will present it in Nolan's preferred 70 millimeter film format. There are only about 30 IMAX 70 millimeter film theaters in the world.