September 20, 2021

Press Releases

Notices Were Recently Posted on All Buses

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is asking passengers to familiarize themselves with the Authority’s Rules of Conduct in order to ensure safe and pleasant trips for all.  RIPTA recently began posting informational notices about the code of conduct on all buses and the full document can be viewed at RIPTA.com/CodeOfConduct.

“As it states in the Code of Conduct, the goal is to provide public transportation services that are safe, orderly, comfortable and convenient,” Scott Avedisian, RIPTA’s Chief Executive Officer said recently. “We spent a lot of time meeting with partner agencies and interested constituent groups to make sure we were protecting people’s rights while also establishing clear rules for appropriate behavior on our vehicles.”

RIPTA’s Rules of Conduct went into effect in December 2020 following approval by the Board of Directors and a public notice period as required by the Rhode Island Administrative Procedures Act. Avedisian said that RIPTA is now focusing on making sure passengers are aware of the provisions of the Code of Conduct.  

 Steven Colantuono, RIPTA’s Chief Legal Counsel, said that in drafting the rules, RIPTA solicited input from several groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the RI Transit Riders.   “RIPTA wanted the process to be open and inclusive,” Colantuono said.  “And we wanted the code to reflect the priorities of our passengers.”  The nine-page Rules of Conduct document spells out specific behaviors and actions that are encouraged or prohibited when riding RIPTA’s fixed-route and paratransit vehicles.

It encourages passengers to be considerate of one another and prohibits actions such as being disruptive, harassing, or assaulting RIPTA employees or other passengers, or exhibiting any behavior that is violent or illegal. It also spells out specific consequences for violators.  Passengers who do not comply with the Rules of Conduct may be subject to immediate removal from a vehicle. Depending on the nature or frequency of specific infractions, a passenger may be prohibited from using RIPTA for up to 180 days.   The document includes a detailed appeals process.