Today's Weather The Ghiorse Factor

Subscribe Now: Free Daily EBlast

Three New Listings: What You Can Buy in RI for $1.2 Million to $2 Million—Three New Listings: What…

EDITORIAL: Never Responsible Nellie—EDITORIAL: Never Responsible Nellie

ACLU Questions CVS’ Collection of COVID Booster Shot Data—ACLU Questions CVS' Collection…

Social Media Titans Are in Chaos—Social Media Titans Are…

Fit for Life: Are You Happy?—Fit for Life: Are…

RI Election Tech Failure Sparks Criticism of Gorbea and Board of Elections, 55 Votes Lost—RI Election Tech Failure…

Endorsements for 2022 Primary Election—Endorsements for 2022 Primary…

Filmmakers Capture Images of Rare “Phantom” Sharks Off Coast of Rhode Island and MA—RI Filmmakers Capture Images…

Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - September 2, 2022—Side of the Rhode:…

The Ultimate RI Event Calendar — Everything to Do—The Ultimate RI Event…

View Larger + PHOTO: GoLocal The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)  has announced the launch of a free fare pilot program on the R-Line, RIPTA’s most frequent and highest-ridership route, connecting Providence and Pawtucket.

The program begins Thursday, September 1. 

This free fare pilot program is funded with $2.5 million in the state budget.

The 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.

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.  

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook