New Pilot Program Enables Organizations to Jointly Fund Transportation for Low-Income Riders

Starting July 1, 2024, RIPTA is seeking partners for a six-month pilot program to jointly fund transportation for low-income riders who are experiencing housing insecurity or are at risk of homelessness. Community-based organizations, state agencies, and collaborative partnerships are invited to submit applications for the program to pilot@ripta.com on a rolling basis. If approved, partners will receive a 50% discount on fare products for clients through institutional low-income pilot Wave accounts until December 31, 2024 or when allocated funds are exhausted, whichever comes sooner.

PILOT BACKGROUND

RIPTA launched a new no fare bus pass pilot program in Fall 2022 to understand the travel needs of low-income riders who do not qualify for existing transit assistance programs. In this initial phase, RIPTA enrolled 775 individuals between the ages of 6 and 65, with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Twelve partner organizations, including homeless-serving organizations and community action programs, assisted with the enrollment effort, enabling participants to access unlimited travel on RIPTA’s fixed-route network. In a second pilot phase, RIPTA transferred the management of monthly passes to participating partner agencies while continuing to fund the trips. In May and June 2024, RIPTA shifted part of the funding responsibility to the partners, allowing them to purchase fare products on pilot participants’ behalf at a discounted rate.