RIPTA’s Busiest Bus Route Is Now Free, Starting Today
GoLocalProv News Team
RIPTA’s Busiest Bus Route Is Now Free, Starting Today
The program begins Thursday, September 1.
This free fare pilot program is funded with $2.5 million in the state budget.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe legislation green-lighting the program was 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.