The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is extending the R-Line fare free pilot program into Sept. 30. After this extension, the R-Line fare free pilot program will end on Oct. 1, 2023.
The Rhode Island General Assembly allocated $2.5 million of one-time federal American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the original plans for a year-long free fare pilot program on the R-Line, which connects Providence and Pawtucket. The actual cost of this pilot program exceeded the allocation. Given the annual cost of this pilot, RIPTA decided after a thorough analysis of the program current budget outlook that it is not financially feasible for the agency to continue this program indefinitely.
The pilot, which was scheduled to end on Aug. 31, 2023, has been extended for an additional month to allow ample time to notify passengers of the upcoming change. Starting October 1, 2023, R-Line passengers will be required to pay the full fare, which is $2 per boarding with cash or $2 for one hour of unlimited rides with Wave.
Passengers traveling on all other RIPTA routes are required to pay the full fare.
Fare free paratransit rIde service
During the pilot program period, RIde paratransit service is also fare free for passengers making trips that begin and end within 3/4 mile of the R-line. Starting Oct. 1, paratransit passengers will be required to pay the full fare, which is $4 per trip.
