{{Short description|Public transport agency in Rhode Island, US}} {{Infobox Bus transit | name = | logo = RIPTA Logo.svg | logo_size = | image = RIPTA Gillig Low Floor 0517.jpg | image_size = 300px | image_caption = A route 51 bus at Kennedy Plaza in 2008 | parent = | founded = {{start date|1966}} | headquarters = 705 Elmwood Avenue<br />Providence, Rhode Island united states | locale = Rhode Island (statewide) | service_area = | service_type = transit bus, paratransit, demand responsive transport | alliance = | routes = 59 fixed-route<br />7 demand-response | destinations = | stops = | hubs = 3 (Kennedy Plaza, Newport Gateway Center, Pawtucket/Central Falls station) | stations = | ridership = {{American transit ridership|RI RIPTA total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}} | annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|RI RIPTA total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}} | lounge = 3 (one at each hub) | fleet = 229 buses, 13 vans, 72 paratransit vans<ref name=RIPTA /> | fuel_type = Diesel, Diesel-electric, CNG, Battery-electric | operator = | ceo = Christopher Durand | website = [http://www.ripta.com www.ripta.com] }}
The '''Rhode Island Public Transit Authority''' (RIPTA) provides public transportation, primarily buses, in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The main hub of the RIPTA system is Kennedy Plaza, a large bus terminal in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Average daily ridership as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}} is {{American transit ridership|RI RIPTA total daily}}.<ref name=APTAdaily /> The agency operates 59 fixed-route bus routes and 7 demand-responsive routes, together serving 37 out of 39 Rhode Island municipalities.<ref name="RIPTA">{{Cite web |title=Facts & Figures |date=2022 |url=https://www.ripta.com/reports-facts-figures/ |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |language=en-US |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref>
==Service== The agency operates 59 fixed-route bus routes and 7 demand-responsive routes, together serving 37 out of 39 Rhode Island municipalities.<ref name="RIPTA" /> Paratransit service is branded '''RIde'''<!--This is the correct branding--> with a service area corresponding to that of non-express bus routes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ripta.com/ride-paratransit-program/ |title=RIde Paratransit Program |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref> RIPTA operates a fleet of 229 buses, 13 cutaway vans for Flex services, and 72 paratransit vans. They are maintained at two garages in Providence and one in Newport.<ref name=RIPTA />
Fares for fixed-route and Flex trips are $2, with day and monthly passes available. Reduced fares are available for people over 65 and with disabilities. Fares can be paid with cash or with Wave smart card or mobile app, or RIde fares are $4.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ripta.com/fares/ |title=Fares |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref>
In July 2025, RIPTA proposed service reductions affecting 58 routes, citing a $17.6 million budget deficit.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Berke |first1=Ben | last2=Bernfeld |first2=Jeremy |date=July 24, 2025 |title=RIPTA proposes largest cuts to bus service in its history |url=https://thepublicsradio.org/transportation/ripta-proposes-largest-cuts-to-bus-service-in-its-history-eliminating-11-routes/ |work=The Public's Radio|access-date=July 26, 2025}} </ref> The proposal would eliminate 17 routes, 6 route segments, 9 weekend service routes, and 8 additional routes operating on either Saturday or Sunday.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cowperthwaite |first=Wheeler |date=July 24, 2025|title=RIPTA releases list of proposed bus route cuts to plug budget gap. What to know |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2025/07/24/ripta-proposes-ending-11-routes-amid-17-6-million-budget-deficit/85363989007/ |location=Providence |work=Providence Journal |access-date=July 26, 2025}} </ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=2025 |title=RIPTA Public Hearings – July 28-August 6, 2025 |url=https://www.ripta.com/publichearings/ |website=RIPTA |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
==Routes== thumb|left|An R-Line bus in downtown Providence RIPTA operates 59 year-round bus routes: 50 local routes, one rapid route, and eight limited-service express routes. Most of RIPTA's fixed-route bus lines are centered on three major hubs: Kennedy Plaza in Providence, Pawtucket/Central Falls station in Pawtucket, and Gateway Center in Newport. <!--Two routes run between Providence and Newport and four routes between Providence and Pawtucket. Three routes run between Providence and Warwick Mall, where they connect with a Coventry-Warwick Mall route and a Warwick crosstown route. A single circulator route is operated in Woonsocket. -->
The R-Line is a limited-stop "Rapid Bus" route between Cranston and Pawtucket via Providence. It has some bus rapid transit (BRT) characteristics, including frequent service and transit signal priority, but runs in mixed traffic without dedicated lanes. Nine routes combine to provide five-minute-or-better headways in the Downtown Transit Connector between Providence station and the Hospital District. This corridor has BRT elements including limited stops, bus shelters with real-time information, bus/bike lanes, and signal priority.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ripta.com/downtown-transit-connector-new/ |title=Downtown Transit Connector |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref>
In addition to fixed-route services, RIPTA also provides '''Flex Service''' service, primarily settled around less populated areas in the state. These demand-responsive routes have fixed schedules for certain stops, but allow passengers to reserve trips within certain geographic areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ripta.com/flex/ |title=Flex |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref> RIPTA operates special services to connect with the seasonal Providence–Newport ferry, to provide seasonal access to South County beaches, and to serve Providence Public School District high schools. {{clear left}}
=== List of routes=== <!--thumb|right|An R-Line bus at Providence Station thumb|right|A bus at Kennedy Plaza on the #51 route thumb|right|A bus at Kennedy Plaza on the #54 route thumb|right|A tourist trolley at Gateway Center on the #67 route thumb|right|A tourist trolley at Kennedy Plaza on the #92 route-->
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! scope="col" style="text-align: center;" |Number ! scope="col" |Route |- |{{sort|00|R-Line}}||Broad/North Main |- |{{anchor|1}}{{sort|01|'''1'''}}||Eddy/Hope/Benefit |- |{{anchor|3}}{{sort|03|'''3'''}}||Oakland Beach |- |{{anchor|4}}{{sort|04|'''4'''}}||Warwick Neck |- |{{anchor|6}}{{sort|06|'''6'''}}||Prairie / Roger Williams Park Zoo |- |{{anchor|9X|9x}}{{sort|09|'''9x'''}}||Pascoag Park-n-Ride |- |{{anchor|10x|10X}}'''10x'''||North Scituate Park-n-Ride |- |{{anchor|12x|12X}}'''12x'''||Arctic/117 Express Park-n-Ride |- |{{anchor|13}}'''13'''||Coventry/Arctic/CCRI |- |{{anchor|14}}'''14'''||West Bay |- |{{anchor|16}}'''16'''||Bald Hill/NEIT/Quonset |- |{{anchor|17}}'''17'''||Dyer/Pocasset |- |{{anchor|18}}'''18'''||Union Ave |- |{{anchor|19}}'''19'''||Plainfield/Westminster |- |{{anchor|20}}'''20'''||Elmwood Ave/T.F. Green Airport |- |{{anchor|21}}'''21'''||Reservoir/Garden City/CCRI |- |{{anchor|22}}'''22'''||Pontiac Ave |- |{{anchor|23}}'''23'''||Arctic/Crompton/Centre of New England |- |{{anchor|24L}}'''24L'''||Newport/Fall River/Providence |- |{{anchor|27}}'''27'''||Broadway/Manton |- |{{anchor|28}}'''28'''||Broadway/Hartford |- |{{anchor|29}}'''29'''||CCRI Warwick/Conimicut |- |{{anchor|30}}'''30'''||Arlington/Oaklawn |- |{{anchor|31}}'''31'''||Cranston St |- |{{anchor|32}}'''32'''||East Providence/Wampanoag/Seekonk Square |- |{{anchor|33}}'''33'''||Riverside |- |{{anchor|34}}'''34'''||East Providence/Seekonk Square |- |{{anchor|35}}'''35'''||Rumford/Newport Ave |- |{{anchor|40}}'''40'''||Butler/Elmgrove |- |{{anchor|50}}'''50'''||Douglas Ave/Bryant University |- |{{anchor|51}}'''51'''||Charles St/Twin River/CCRI |- |{{anchor|54}}'''54'''||Lincoln/Woonsocket |- |{{anchor|55}}'''55'''||Admiral/Providence College |- |{{anchor|56}}'''56'''||Chalkstone Ave |- |{{anchor|57}}'''57'''||Smith St |- |{{anchor|58}}'''58'''||Mineral Spring/North Providence |- |{{anchor|59x|59X}}'''59x'''||North Smithfield/Lincoln Mall Park-n-Ride |- |{{anchor|60}}'''60'''||Providence/Newport |- |{{anchor|61x|61X}}'''61x'''||Tiverton/East Bay Park-n-Ride |- |{{anchor|63}}'''63'''||Broadway/Middletown Shops |- |{{anchor|64}}'''64'''||Newport/URI Kingston |- |{{anchor|65X|65x}}'''65X'''||Wakefield Express |- |{{anchor|66}}'''66'''||URI/CCRI Warwick/Providence |- |{{anchor|67}}'''67'''||Bellevue/Salve Regina Univ. |- |{{anchor|68}}'''68'''||CCRI NPT/Mem. Blvd./First Beach |- |{{anchor|69}}'''69'''||Narragansett/Galilee |- |{{anchor|71}}'''71'''||Broad Street/Pawtucket Ave |- |{{anchor|72}}'''72'''||Weeden/Central Falls |- |{{anchor|73}}'''73'''||Mineral Spring/Twin River/CCRI |- |{{anchor|75}}'''75'''||Dexter/Lincoln Mall |- |{{anchor|76}}'''76'''||Central Ave |- |{{anchor|78}}'''78'''||Beverage Hill Ave/East Providence |- |{{anchor|80}}'''80'''||Armistice Blvd |- |{{anchor|87}}'''87'''||Fairmount/Walnut Hill |- |{{anchor|88}}'''88'''||Simmons Village Service |- |{{anchor|89}}'''89'''||Walmart Cranston |- |{{anchor|92}}'''92'''||RI College/Federal Hill/East Side |- |{{anchor|95x|95X}}'''95x'''||Westerly Park-n-Ride |- |203||Narragansett Flex |- |204||Westerly Flex |- |231||South Aquidneck Flex |- |242||West Warwick/Coventry Flex |- |281||Woonsocket/Manville Flex |- |282||Pascoag/Slatersville Flex |- |301||Westerly/Hope Valley Rural Ride |- |{{anchor|QX|Qx}}'''QX'''||Quonset Point |}
==History== [[File:Rhode Island FC vs New England Revolution May 7 2025.jpg|thumb|A RIPTA bus with a Rhode Island FC wrap.]] RIPTA was created in 1964 by the Rhode Island General Assembly to supervise what had been a system of privately run bus and trolley systems. RIPTA began operating buses on July 1, 1966, inheriting services provided previously by the United Transit Company (formerly the Rhode Island Company.<ref>[https://www.ripta.com/history/ RIPTA History]</ref> Woonsocket local service was expanded in 2011 to allow residents, many of whom do not own cars, to reach shopping areas outside town.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/food-stamps-put-rhode-island-town-on-monthly-boom-and-bust-cycle/2013/03/16/08ace07c-8ce1-11e2-b63f-f53fb9f2fcb4_story.html |title=Food stamps put Rhode Island town on monthly boom-and-bust cycle |newspaper=The Washington Post |author=Saslow, Eli |date=16 March 2013 |access-date=12 September 2014}}</ref> R-Line service began on June 21, 2014.
The 1 Eddy/Hope/Benefit and 35 Rumford lines were the first two RIPTA routes with stops outside of Rhode Island's borders, as both routes end in a northern terminus at the South Attleboro MBTA station in Massachusetts.<ref name="projoma">{{cite web |last1=LANDIS |first1=BRUCE |title=RIPTA prepares to reorganize routes to improve service |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/business/content/20130521-ripta-prepares-to-reorganize-routes-to-improve-service.ece |website=The Providence Journal |access-date=4 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> RIPTA was required to seek federal permission before the extending the routes across state lines to South Attleboro in 2013.<ref name="projoma"/> Soon, the 32 and 34 were extended over the Massachusetts border to Seekonk Square. In August 2019, RIPTA added a third line running to Massachusetts, the 24L, an express line which includes stops in Fall River and Somerset that connect to Southeastern Regional Transit Authority lines.<ref>{{cite web |author=Daily News staff |title=RIPTA adds new express service connecting Newport to Providence, Fall River |url=https://www.newportri.com/news/20190826/ripta-adds-new-express-service-connecting-newport-to-providence-fall-river |website=The Newport Daily News |access-date=27 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=24x Newport/Fall River/Providence |url=https://www.ripta.com/24 |publisher=Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |access-date=14 September 2019}}</ref> As part of the Summer 2025 service changes, RIPTA is proposing to extend Route 54 by less than a mile—from its current terminus in Woonsocket to the Stop & Shop in Bellingham, MA. This extension would improve access for workers and shoppers while also offering a convenient layover location with restroom facilities for operators.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RIPTA Public Hearings - April 2025 |url=https://www.ripta.com/publichearings/}}</ref>
In November 2019, RIPTA received $8 million in federal funding to add additional hubs at the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick and the University of Rhode Island in Kingston.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/westerly/ripta-to-build-new-mobility-hubs-at-uri-ccri/article_162d250c-0c89-11ea-90b5-437e245d159d.html |title=RIPTA to build new mobility hubs at URI, CCRI |newspaper=The Westerly Sun |location=Westerly, Rhode Island |date=November 25, 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline}} * [http://www.ripta.com RIPTA home page]
{{Massachusetts-Rhode Island transit agencies}} {{Blackstone Valley}} {{authority control}}
Category:Rhode Island Public Transit Authority . Category:1964 establishments in Rhode Island Category:Bus transportation in Rhode Island Category:Government agencies established in 1964 Category:Intermodal transportation authorities in Rhode Island Category:Public transportation in Rhode Island Category:Transit agencies in the United States