RIPTA’s Winter Service Changes to Take Effect Saturday, January 17, 2026

Cost-neutral adjustments driven by rider feedback and performance data aim to improve reliability and on-time performance

Providence, Rhode Island…The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will implement winter service changes effective Saturday, January 17, 2026. RIPTA makes regular service adjustments three times a year in response to seasonal changes and passenger demand. Routes affected by the winter service changes include: 12x, 21, 22, 24L, 31, 50, 56, 59x, 61x, 66, 69, 78, 95x and Qx.

These scheduled winter service changes are cost-neutral and reflect recent feedback received directly from riders. Adjustments include trip time changes on select express routes to better align with work schedules, based on overwhelming feedback from passengers who rely on these routes for their daily commute.

The following routes will be affected by the winter service changes:

Route 12x (Arctic/117 Express Park & Ride)

Weekday trip times adjusted to better accommodate riders’ work schedules.

Route 21 (Reservoir/Garden City/CCRI)

Weekday trip times adjusted to better accommodate riders’ work schedules.

Route 22 (Pontiac Ave)

Weekday frequency reduced from every :55 to every :60 minutes to improve reliability and provide more appropriate recovery time for operators

Route 24L (Newport/Fall River/Providence)

Weekday trip times adjusted to improve reliability and provide more appropriate recovery time for operators.

Route 31 (Cranston St)

Weekday trip times adjusted to improve reliability and provide more appropriate recovery time for operators.

Route 50 (Douglas Ave/Bryant)

Weekday trip times adjust to improve on-time performance and provide more appropriate recovery time for operators.

Route 56 (Chalkstone Ave)

Weekday trip times adjusted to improve reliability and provide more appropriate recovery time for operators.

Route 59x (North Smithfield/Lincoln Mall Park & Ride)

Weekday trip times adjusted to better accommodate riders’ work schedules.

Route 61x (Tiverton/East Bay Park & Ride)

Weekday trip times adjusted to better accommodate riders’ work schedules.

Route 66 (URI/Providence)

Weekday trip time adjusted to ensure riders traveling south in the morning have a reliable connection to the URI Bay Campus. The morning trip was shifted to connect with Route 64 at Kingston Station. Weekend morning trip(s) shifted for more feasible connections to MBTA to Boston.

Route 69 (Narragansett/Galilee)

Limited Saturday service restored from morning to midday (9:15a - 4:12p).

Route 78 (Beverage Hill/E.Prov)

Saturday trip times adjust to improve on-time performance and provide more appropriate recovery time for operators.

Route 95x (Westerly Park & Ride)

Weekday trip times adjusted to better accommodate riders’ work schedules.

Route Qx (Quonset Express)

Weekday trips added to align with Job Lot shift times.

For more information, visit RIPTA.com or call 401-781-9400.

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