January 26, 2015
Press Releases
In anticipation of blizzard conditions, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will suspend all service effective 5 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2015. Service will be reinstated as soon as conditions are safe for RIPTA vehicles to travel. RIPTA will announce when service is reinstated. RIPTA passengers should anticipate delays on all routes before and after the blizzard due to winter storm conditions.
Passenger safety is our key concern as weather forecasts are predicting white-out conditions and snowfall rates that may make it impossible to keep major arteries clear during some periods of this severe storm.
Other New England mass transit agencies including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Connecticut Transit (CTT) are also suspending bus and rail service Tuesday.
RIPTA will continue to run all regular service on Monday, January 26, 2015, unless the storm moves in quicker than anticipated, in which case there may be route detours due to road conditions. As RIPTA continues to work to comply with the midnight travel ban instituted for Monday by Governor Raimondo, some evening routes are being shortened and riders are advised to check www.ripta.com for updates.
“As this powerful winter storm moves through our area, RIPTA will continue working closely with Governor Raimondo’s office, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) to determine how to best protect our passengers, our drivers and the public – and to prepare for the reinstatement of service when appropriate,” said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Chairman of RIPTA’s Board of Directors. “Our emergency preparedness plan focuses first on safety and second on attempting to accommodate as many passengers as possible traveling within Rhode Island.”
RIDE PROGRAM
The RIde Program will suspend services on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 until further notice. The RIde reservation line (401-461-9760) will open Wednesday at 6 a.m. if weather permits safe travel.
FLEX SERVICE
Flex Service will be suspended on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 until further notice. The Flex Service reservation line (1-877-906-FLEX) will also be closed until service resumes when roads are clear Wednesday.
PARK N’ RIDE SERVICE
All Park-n-Rides lots will not be serviced all day on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 until further notice.
KENNEDY PLAZA
The Kennedy Plaza Intermodal Transportation Center will be closed on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. Kennedy Plaza, including the RIPTA Ticket Windows and Photo ID Office, will be closed all day and evening. The Kennedy Plaza Intermodal Transportation Center will reopen on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 6 a.m.
Passengers are strongly urged to get the latest RIPTA travel information by signing 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. Passengers are also strongly advised to monitor news reports, check www.RIPTA.com and RIPTA’s social media outlets (Facebook @RideRIPTA ,Twitter @RIPTA_RI) for service advisory updates. Customers are advised to use extra caution at bus stops, as conditions may slippery.
For information on RIPTA services, call 781-9400 or visit ripta.com.