RIPTA TO RUN HOLIDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 AND FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016

RIPTA will operate all regular fixed-route bus service on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Friday, December 25, 2015 in observance of Christmas Day and Friday, January 1, 2016 in observance of New Year’s Day. RIPTA offices, including the Photo Identification and Ticket Sales Offices in Kennedy Plaza, will not be staffed on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Also, the Flex Service reservation line (1-877-906-FLEX) and the RIde reservation line (461-9760) will not be staffed on either holiday.

Click here for details.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

RIPTA wishes you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season. May you be surrounded by loved ones and find time for sharing treasured moments together. Thank you for supporting RIPTA. We look forward to your continued support in 2016!

RIDOT TO CLOSE RTE. 2 PARK & RIDE LOT ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Beginning December 7, 2015, RIPTA passengers and carpoolers will be able to park for free in the garage at the Wickford Junction Transit Center in North Kingstown. The new location replaces the Park & Ride lot just north on Route 2. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation ( RIDOT) is closing the lot in a move to provide one-stop consolidate transit services at the station.

“We appreciate RIDOT’s efforts to ensure that our commuters will have improved parking conditions and that the parking will remain free,” said Raymond Studley, Chief Executive Officer of RIPTA. “Also, they will have a direct connection to commuter rail. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Department of Transportation on this and other intermodal projects.”

Wickford Junction will be serviced by the same bus routes that stopped at the Park & Ride -- Routes 65x and 66. In addition to giving passengers direct access to train travel when needed, the move to the parking garage also signals a new program under which RIPTA will allow riders to use their MBTA monthly passes on the buses. This new cross-fare feature, launched with RIDOT’s support, is available only the 65X and 66 trips right now. It will give passengers the option of using their MBTA monthly pass to have the flexibility to choose which mode of travel works best for them on a particular day.

Click here for details.

DETOURS

RIPTA ACCOMMODATES DOWNTOWN JINGLE 5K ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6

RIPTA will detour Routes 1, 3, 6, 20, 22, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 60, 66, 92 and the R-Line from 10:30am until 12:30pm routes in order to accommodate the Downtown Jingle 5K Road Race. All RIPTA bus lines are to expect minor delays around Kennedy Plaza during this time.

Details here.

RIPTA IN THE COMMUNITY

STUFF A BUS A HUGE SUCCESS!

The final numbers are in, and we are thrilled to announce that this year, we raised a total of 2,280 pounds of food for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank! THANK YOU for making the 4th Annual Stuff A Bus a huge success! The Food Bank's statewide network of member agencies serves 60,000 Rhode Islanders each month. One in three served is a child under the age of 18. RIPTA would also like to thank our community partners – Whole Foods Garden City, Whole Foods University Heights, Shore’s Market, and iHeartRadio.

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

Now through December 18, 2015, RIPTA and 95.5 WBRU are seeking new, unwrapped toy donations for the West End Community Center so that every child enrolled in their programs receives something this holiday season. The West End Community Center serves the Providence, Rhode Island communities of the West End, Elmwood, and Upper and Lower Southside. Overall, these neighborhoods are the most ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse neighborhoods.

Click here for drop off information and more details.

TEDDY BEAR TOSS

In the spirit of holiday giving, join RIPTA and Providence College Friars Hockey Thursday, December 10 at Schneider Arena for a Teddy Bear Toss. Bring a teddy bear to the 7pm game and receive some great RIPTA swag. All stuffed bears will be donated to the West End Community Center.

To purchase game tickets, click here.