Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

Infobox Bus transit
name = Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

logo_size = 168px


image_size = 250px
image_caption = RIPTA Gillig #0517 picks up customers on the #51 line at Kennedy Plaza.
company_slogan =
parent =
founded = 1966
headquarters = 265 Melrose Street
Providence, RI 02907
locale = Rhode Island (statewide)
service_area =
service_type = Local bus transit
alliance =
routes = 62
destinations =
stops =
hubs = 3 (Kennedy Plaza, Newport Gateway Center, Pawtucket Transportation Center)
stations =
ridership = 67,957 (2006; weekday)
lounge = 3 (one at each hub)
fleet = 240 (fixed-route)
16 (Flex) [http://www.ntdprogram.com/ntdprogram/pubs/profiles/2006/agency_profiles/1001.pdf RIPTA stats from the NTD Program] ]
fuel_type =
operator =
ceo = Alfred Moscola [http://www.projo.com/news/content/RIPTA_TROLLEYS_12-18-07_G389TT5_v10.28b5630.html RIPTA looking to replace trolleys] ]
website = [http://www.ripta.com 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. [cite web|url=http://www.ripta.com/content1477.html ripta.com|publisher=Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority|title=RIPTA Accomplishments in FY2006|accessdate=2007-06-06 (25,943,883 boardings in 2007) / 365 days = 71,079 daily]

History

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 11966, inheriting services provided previously by the United Traction Company. [ [http://www.ripta.com/about/index.php?section=20 RIPTA History] ]

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.

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.

Trolley service

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.

Demand response/Flex service

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.

Fares

These are the current RIPTA fares. [ [http://www.ripta.com/schedules/fares.php RIPTA fares] ]

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.

RIPTA has also operated GMC "New Look", Volvo B10M, GMC RTS and Neoplan AN-440A buses.

References

External links

* [http://www.ripta.com RIPTA home page]