RIPTA Board Approves Fare Changes
At its meeting on Dec. 14, 2015, the RIPTA Board of Directors voted unanimously to change some pricing for full-fare customers as well as the introduction of a new reduced fare for passengers who currently ride for free under our pass program for people who are low income and also elderly or have disabilities. The vote came after a comprehensive fare study and months of public presentations which culminated with 12 statewide public hearings in November.
This was not an easy decision for RIPTA. Approximately 5.4 million trips a year – one-quarter of all our annual service – are taken by no-fare passengers. RIPTA has to absorb almost all the cost of this service and this is not sustainable. While the public hearings were held on a proposal to introduce a half-fare ($1 per boarding) for passengers who are elderly or have disabilities, the board reduced that amount to up to 50-cents (or up to ¼ of full price) in order to lessen the impact. We also hope that ongoing talks with the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) and other state agencies will help identify other resources and programs that might be of assistance to these passengers.
The fare changes as approved by the board are:
Full Fare Customers:
These changes will go into effect March 1, 2016
Base fare will remain the same at $2.00
Transfers will increase from .50 to $1.00, but will now allow unlimited travel within the system for two hours (as opposed to old policy which required that you switch to another line and not use them for continuation on a route or for return trip)
Day Pass price remains the same at $6.00
Monthly Pass price will increase from $62 to $70
Two products will be discontinued: RIPTIKs and the 15-Ride Pass. They will be replaced by a new 10-Ride ticket that will cost $20 and include transfers (but will have to ask for the transfer when you first board the bus).
For Passengers who Currently Pay No Fare under the Pass Program for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities:
These changes will go into effect July 1, 2016
The Board voted that persons who currently pay no fare because they are senior citizens or have a disability and earn no more than 200-percent of poverty level will pay a fare of up to 50-cents (or ¼ of full fare). Transfers will cost up to 25-cents. Before these changes go into effect, RIPTA staff will report back to the Board of Directors regarding the progress of talks with other state agencies that might be of assistance.
