Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

705 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI
United States of America
401.781.9400
800.745.9400

More Info on Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is a quasi-public, independent authority. Established in 1966, RIPTA is authorized to operate public transit services throughout the State of Rhode Island.

Press Releases

RIPTA
a RIde passenger disembarks the paratransit van in a wheelchair
The pilot program provides statewide curb-to-curb access for qualified passengers with disabilities who are currently restricted to traveling within the ADA service area.
Dec. 26, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA reopens East Side Tunnel.
The $25 million renovation project addressed several key areas, including drainage upgrades, enhanced lighting and structural repairs inside the tunnel.
Nov. 1, 2024
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
$1.8 million RIPTA project targets transit accessibility and rider experience improvements.
The completion of these new bus stop renovations will help to improve connectivity and the rider experience.
Sept. 23, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA breaks ground on new passenger amenity building at Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center.
The project will ensure that bus and rail connections can be made at a convenient and comfortable location.
Sept. 17, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA to explore better transit options through Metro Connector Study.
A recommendation of Rhode Island’s 2020 statewide Transit Master Plan, Transit Forward Rhode Island, the study will explore rapid transit options connecting the communities of...
Sept. 16, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA launches new Flex On Demand pilot.
This service is fully ADA-accessible, offering curb-to-curb transportation in any location within the state.
Aug. 26, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA has been awarded a $7.4 million Buses & Bus Facilities grant for the rehabilitation of the 102-year-old maintenance and office building located at 265 Melrose St. in Providence, R.I.
The funding marks a significant milestone in RIPTA’s ongoing efforts to return the historically significant facility to a state of good repair and enhance its operational capacity...
July 29, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA has completed the construction on the state’s first electric bus in-line charging station.
The station is located on the agency’s most frequently used route, the R-Line, and can charge up to four electric buses simultaneously while they are in service.
July 5, 2024
The agency is working to attract new CDL drivers with paid training opportunities and a flexible work schedule in an effort to tackle its labor shortage.
June 14, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA zero-emission bus.
RIPTA will not be implementing proposed service reductions that were meant to recalibrate RIPTA schedules with the level of service it can consistently run.
June 7, 2024

Articles

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
DRPT, RIPTA launch app campaigns to boost transit planning.
The two respective apps offer riders a one stop for all their transit planning needs and offer incentives for using the app.
March 24, 2025
Brandon Lewis
From top left: AC Transit’s General Manager and CEO Michael Hursh, WSP's Transit and Rail Market Leader Angela Schwarz, WSP's Deputy Transit and Rail Market Leader Inez Evans Benson, Washington County, Md., Transit Director Shawn Harbaugh and RIPTA CEO Christopher Durand.
Personnel updates from around the public transit industry.
Nov. 22, 2024
RIPTA
RIPTA bus.
Monroe County and RIPTA are each launching programs to help those in low-income/disadvantaged populations be able to afford and have easy access to fare products.
Oct. 3, 2024
INIT, Inc.
HART, PSTA and The Bus implemented open loop contactless payments using Visa's global urban mobility framework in February 2023.
By embracing open payments, implementing equity-based fares and keeping a focus on connecting riders, transit agencies are setting new standards of what creative contactless payment...
April 18, 2023
RIDOT
The Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center is a rail and bus hub with 10 bus routes and 40 weekday trains stopping at the transit center.
Local, state and federal dignitaries gathered at the transit cent for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Jan. 24, 2023
RIPTA
RIPTA will receive a $22.37 million RAISE grant that will fund charging infrastructure, facility upgrades and the procurement of approximately 25 battery-electric buses.
Congressional offices have started announcing where RAISE grants will be awarded with several smart streets and transit related projects securing funds.
Aug. 10, 2022
RIPTA/Union Studio Architecture and Design
A rendering of the future Dorrance Street Transit Center (RIPTA/Union Studio Architecture and Design)
The transit center will replace RIPTA’s current bus depot with a mixed-use development with an intermodal transit center, offices and an adjacent transit-oriented development....
May 13, 2022
RIPTA
RIPTA launched its one-year Ride Free in Central Falls pilot project that will evaluate the role technology has in promoting transit use.
The one-year pilot will provide fare free transit to trips that begin in Central Falls, RI, and test the effectiveness of geofencing and its impact on transit.
March 9, 2022
RIPTA
RIPTA will no longer accept paper passes on buses starting Jan. 15, 2022, as part of its transition to the Wave fare management system. Riders can exchange existing paper passes to preserve their monetary value.
The move away from paper is part of the authority’s transition to its Wave smart fare collection system.
Dec. 21, 2021
RIPTA
Ripta Bus
State, local and transit leaders say the multi-hub approach will improve connectivity and expand access to transit.
Nov. 6, 2020

Additional content from Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

RIPTA’s contract with Next Wave Partners will bring on the first phase of work on the Providence Transit Center.
Jan. 31, 2024
In order to provide the connecting shuttle service, RIPTA will temporarily pause four Inbound and four Outbound trips on Route 61X, which is one of the agency’s lowest-performing...
Dec. 20, 2023
The new transit center will serve as RIPTA’s central bus depot, providing millions of trips annually and will feature a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled passenger arrival...
Aug. 28, 2023
The pilot, which was scheduled to end on Aug. 31, has been extended for an additional month to allow ample time to notify passengers of the upcoming change.
Aug. 11, 2023
RIPTA
RIPTA has extended its Ride Free Central Falls pilot program through the end of 2023.
The program launched in March 2022 and is testing the effectiveness of using geofencing technology to promote the use of public transportation and offers free fares for trips ...
July 28, 2023
RIPTA
RIPTA launched its one-year Ride Free in Central Falls pilot project that will evaluate the role technology has in promoting transit use.
The program launched in March 2022 and is testing the effectiveness of using geofencing technology to promote the use of public transportation.
May 17, 2023
RIPTA
The RIPTA has seen ridership increase over the last six months following the launch of its R-Line Fare-Free Pilot Program.
During the first six months of the pilot, ridership on the R-Line was 40 percent higher than the same time period in 2022.
April 13, 2023
RIPTA
RIPTA will reallocate $100,000 in funds previously used for private security to increase the presence of Providence police officers and DID safety ambassadors in Kennedy Plaza.
In recent months, the city of Providence has increased the presence of Providence Police Department officers in Kennedy Plaza during high traffic times.
April 11, 2023
RIPTA is seeking the expertise of private developers across the country for bold, innovative ideas to guide the design, construction and operations of the new facility.
Jan. 12, 2023
RIDOT
Officials break ground Nov. 2, 2018, on the Pawtucket-Central Falls Commuter Rail Station and Bus Hub.
The center will allow riders to switch modes of transportation easily between commuter rail operated by MBTA and RIPTA’s statewide bus network.
Jan. 10, 2023
Applicants that meet the income threshold but neither the age nor the disability threshold, receive no benefit under existing RIPTA programs.
Nov. 10, 2022
RIPTA
Labor challenges mean RIPTA is temporarily reducing service frequencies in late October; the authority says they will return when more staff are added.
The reduction in statewide services will be temporary with RIPTA committing to returning service when staffing levels can support it.
Oct. 3, 2022
RIPTA
Fz0 W3 Rp Xk A Myx Ly Ripta
RIPTA has received the first of 14 New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ 40-foot battery-electric buses, with the remainder of the authority’s order to be delivered in the upcoming months...
Aug. 18, 2022
RIPTA
Ripta Rendering
The station, which can charge up to three electric buses simultaneously, will also feature driver restrooms and various site improvements including an on-site snow-melt system...
May 27, 2022
RIPTA
Ripta
The Downtown Transit Connector Runs from RI Hospital to Providence Train Station and serves the growing Innovation District.
June 22, 2021
RIPTA
RIPTA will receive energy credits from the 6,000-panel solar array, which it estimates will save the authority $250,000 annually in electricity costs.
The transit authority will receive energy credits for power generated by a solar installation in East Providence.
April 1, 2021
RIPTA
Quonset Express Credit Ripta
The free express service connects riders to job opportunities within the 3,000-acre business park.
Feb. 11, 2021
RIPTA
Ripta
RIPTA is providing drivers and vehicles from its paratransit service to fill in gaps in the routes in the Pawtucket area.
April 15, 2020
Proterra announced that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is deploying three 40-foot Proterra Catalyst E2 electric buses.
Oct. 23, 2018
Facebook.com/RIPTA
RIPTA operates more than 200 buses and 100 vans across the Providence, Rhode Island, region.
For RIPTA leaders, real day-to-day outcomes like improved maintenance schedules, optimized part inventory forecasting and a more efficient fleet will help both time and taxpayer...
Nov. 14, 2017