Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

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Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

RIPTA Gillig #0517 picks up customers on the #51 line at Kennedy Plaza.
Founded	1966
Headquarters	265 Melrose Street Providence, RI 02907
Locale	Rhode Island (statewide)
Service type	Local bus transit
Routes	60
Hubs	3 (Kennedy Plaza, Newport Gateway Center, Pawtucket Transportation Center)
Lounge	3 (one at each hub)
Fleet	240 (fixed-route) 16 (Flex)^[1]
Daily ridership	67,957 (2006; weekday)^[1]
Chief executive	Alfred Moscola^[2]
Web site	www.ripta.com

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides public transportation, primarily buses, in the state of Rhode Island. The main hub of the RIPTA system is Kennedy Plaza, a large bus terminal in Downtown, Providence. The authority serves over 71,000 people a day, in 38 out of 39 Rhode Island communities.^[3]

1 History
2 Routes
3 Fares
4 Fleet
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

RIPTA was created in 1964 by the Rhode Island General Assembly to supervise what had been previously a system of privately run bus and trolley systems. RIPTA began operating buses on July 1, 1966, inheriting services provided previously by the United Traction Company.^[4]

[edit] Routes

RIPTA operates services in several categories. All services are operated from two garages, in Providence at 265 Melrose Street and Middletown at 350 Coddington Highway.

[edit] Fixed route

Most of RIPTA's fixed-route bus lines are centered around three major hubs in the cities of Providence, Rhode Island at Kennedy Plaza, Pawtucket, and the Gateway Center in Newport. There are also single bus routes operating within Warwick and Woonsocket. Some routes are through-routed through Providence and Pawtucket, such as the 1, 42, and 77 lines.

[edit] Trolley service

The East Side Trolley Tunnel, from the west end.

CNG trolley replica #16

In 1999, RIPTA introduced its trolley service, providing service using tourist trolley style replica buses manufactured by Chance Coach & Optima Bus on two downtown Providence circulator lines going north and south of Kennedy Plaza and through the East Side Trolley Tunnel, and on a number of lines running through the Newport Gateway Center in Newport.

The future of these trolleys is much in doubt, as RIPTA is looking to replace the trolley replicas with standard buses.^[2]

[edit] Demand response/Flex service

#0651 works the 211 Flex Service on the URI campus.

RIde #0141 in downtown Providence.

In addition to fixed route services, RIPTA also provides Flex Service service primarily settled around less-populated areas in the state, servicing the communities of Tiverton, Warwick, Westerly, Woonsocket, and the University of Rhode Island.

RIde is the demand-response service operated by RIPTA, providing primarily paratransit service throughout the service area of RIPTA. The vehicles used for both service are cutaway vans.

[edit] Fares

The current RIPTA one-way bus fare is $1.50, with transfers costing $.10. As of July 1,2008 rates will be $1.75 and $.50 respectfully ^[5] . Discount passes are available.

[edit] Fleet

Not included here are cutaway vans normally used on Flex service and RIde paratransit and demand response services. All buses here are fully ADA compliant and feature bike racks.

Year	Manufacturer/Model	Length (feet)	Width (inches)	Fuel	Fleet numbers	In service
1992	TMC RTS T8O206	40	102	Diesel	9201-9248	46
1998	Nova Bus RTS RTNFD82	40	102	Diesel	9801-9850	50
1999	Nova Bus RTS RTNFD62	30	102	Diesel	9930-9934	5
1999	Chance Coach AH-28	28	96	CNG	1-15	15
2000	Nova Bus RTS T82VN	40	102	Diesel	0030-0057	26
2001	Orion V 05.501	40	102	Diesel	0101-0127	27
2002	New Flyer C30LF	30	102	CNG	0201-0205	5
2003	Optima Bus AH-28	28	96	CNG	16-20	5
2004	Orion V 05.501	40	102	Diesel	0461-0485	25
2005	Gillig Low Floor G27E102R2	40	102	Diesel	0515-0550	36
Grand total of fixed-route buses:						240