NEW: RIPTA Fare Hikes Opposed at State House Rally

NEW: RIPTA Fare Hikes Opposed at State House Rally

The RIPTA Riders Alliance held a rally on Thursday outside the State House to protest drastic fare hikes. 

RIPTA's proposed fare hikes: 

* SENIORS AND DISABLED PEOPLE will be charged $1 per ride. Disabled people must go back and submit proof that they’re disabled again.

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* MONTHLY PASSES will go up from $62 to $70. Weekly passes will go up from $23 to $25. The 15-ride pass will be discontinued and replaced with a 10-ride ticket costing $20.

* TRANSFERS, which now cost 50 cents, will double in price. The new transfers will cost $1 for regular riders and are usable for travel anywhere in a 2-hour period.

* SENIORS AND DISABLED PEOPLE will pay 50 cents per transfer. If they want a monthly pass, that will be $35 per month. Weekly passes will be $12.50.

Opoosing the Hikes

RIPTA Riders argue that the proposed fare hikes are unaffordable for disabled and elderly who live on limited incomes. 

The rally called on State leaders to ensure that RIPTA is funded adequately, making the fare increases unnecessary. 

The RIPTA Riders do support raising fares for long distance express busses and reducing RIPTA's use of overtime.