February 7, 2013
Press Releases
In anticipation of blizzard conditions, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has suspended all service effective 12:00PM on Friday, February 8, 2013. All service will be reinstated on Saturday, February 9, 2013 as soon as conditions are safe for RIPTA vehicles to travel. RIPTA passengers should anticipate delays on all routes before and after the blizzard due to winter storm conditions. RIPTA will announce once a decision has been made to reinstate all service.
As the winter storm continues to move toward New England, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is working closely with emergency officials to prepare for possible service impacts caused by blizzard conditions. RIPTA’s emergency preparedness plan focuses first on safety and second on attempting to accommodate as many passengers as possible traveling within Rhode Island.
FLEX SERVICE
Flex Service will be suspended on Friday, February 8th at 12:00PM until further notice. The Flex Service reservation line (1-877-906-FLEX) will be closed until further notice.
RIDE PROGRAM
Except for vital medical trips, the RIde Program will suspend services on Friday, February 8th at 12:00PM until further notice. The RIde reservation line (401-461-9760) will be closed until further notice.
PARK N’ RIDE SERVICE
The Park-n-Rides lots listed below will not be serviced all day on Friday, February 8th. The 90W Westerly Park-n-Ride will operate on the regular schedule until noon; one outbound trip from Kennedy Plaza will be added at 11:00AM.
• 90A Exit 7 / Arctic / Warwick Rte.#117 Park-n-Ride
• 90C Blackstone Valley Visitor’s Center / Chimney Hill
• 90S Scituate / Chopmist Hill
Passengers are strongly advised to monitor news reports, visit RIPTA’s website, www.ripta.com, or social media accounts (Facebook @RideRIPTA ,Twitter @RIPTA_RI), for updated service status updates and travel advisories. In preparation for the storm, RIPTA urges passengers to sign up for electronic News Updates at http://www.ripta.com/detours-news; RIPTA will e-mail system disruption notices to passengers on this distribution list. Customers are advised to use extra caution at bus stops, as conditions may slippery.
RIPTA, the State’s Mobility Manager, operates over 3,000 daily bus trips on over 50 bus routes throughout the state. Last year, we provided 20 million rides. RIPTA also offers passenger van “Flex” services in areas not served by fixed-route bus service. For more information on schedules or other RIPTA services, please call 781-9400 or visit ripta.com.