Riding Guidelines

We want all of our passengers to enjoy a safe and comfortable ride. Please be sure to observe the following rules when riding RIPTA:

• Leave front seats open for seniors and passengers with disabilities.



• Fold strollers and carriages before boarding and do not block the aisle with personal items.



• Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted on the bus.



• Radios may be used with ear phones only.



• Standing is permitted only behind the yellow line.



• Animals are not permitted except for service animals that are with passengers with disabilities.



• Weapons, explosives, car batteries, flammable liquids or other hazardous materials are not permitted on RIPTA vehicles.



• In Kennedy Plaza always use the pedestrian crosswalks, remember to look both ways and do not block the spaces reserved for passengers in wheelchairs.



• Loitering is not permitted (RIGL 11-36-5) in the Kennedy Plaza passenger terminal.



• Make sure you have not left any packages behind you.



• In Kennedy Plaza, board at the front doors of the bus and exit through the rear doors.



• Do not touch or pick up any abandoned packages or suspicious substances left behind on the bus or in the passenger terminal--notify the bus operator or RIPTA supervisor immediately.

Riding RIPTA in seven easy steps

1. Get the information you need to reach your destination, including bus route(s), departure and arrival times, and fare information by either:
   • calling RIPTA information line 781-9400
   • picking up a bus schedule at the RIPTA passenger terminal in Kennedy Plaza
   • searching our online database


2. Once you know when your bus will arrive, look for one of the RIPTA signs that mark our bus stops. Be sure to be at the stop at least 5 minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive.



3. Watch for your bus. When the bus approaches, first look at the destination sign (located above the windshield) for a route number and name. If this is your bus, it should have the same number and route name as listed on your schedule. If you are unsure, ask the bus driver if he or she is going to your destination.



4. Have your cash fare, passes, or tokens and any other required identification ready before you board. Use the handrails to safely board the bus.



5. Place your money in the farebox or show your pass and/or proper identification to the driver as you get on the bus. RIPTA drivers and fareboxes do not make change. If your trip requires a transfer, deposit an additional 50 cents and ask the driver for a transfer slip.



6. Take a seat, relax, and watch for your destination stop. Follow RIPTA rules of the road by refraining from smoking, eating, drinking, radio playing, or activities that are offensive to the other passengers.



7. About one block before you want to get off , signal the driver by pulling the overhead cord or pushing the rubber strip once to ring the bell and turn on the "Request to Stop" light. When exiting the bus, make sure the bus comes to a complete stop and the doors are fully opened before getting off.

Follow these steps for a safe, comfortable, and easy ride to your destination!