September 14, 2022
Press Releases
Two Virtual Public Meetings to be held September 20 and 21
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has been asked by the RI General Assembly to study paratransit service throughout the state and to design a statewide program addressing the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities traveling outside the current paratransit service area. RIPTA will host two virtual meetings to introduce this study and seek public input.
VIRTUAL MEETING SCHEDULE
These virtual meetings are scheduled on Zoom as follows:
When: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpc-GqqT0qH9Bo02xFdXJ32RO2rpRgK800
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcocu-rqzoqEtcH5VdYDz9qhustl6mhOEIB
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you need help registering, please call 401-784-9500 x1283.
Who should attend?
Individuals with disabilities, older adults, and other individuals that are unable to utilize RIPTA’s fixed route bus system and who have transportation needs that are not served by RIPTA’s RIde ADA paratransit service or other programs.
Please submit requests for ASL interpretation or other accommodations to jkanter@ripta.com or (401) 784-9500 by 12 PM on Friday, September 16, 2022.
About the ADA Paratransit Expansion Study
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that RIPTA provide paratransit services to people with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route service. Qualified individuals who have both trip origins and destinations within a 3/4-mile radius of an operating RIPTA fixed-route bus can use the RIde Program – RIPTA’s ADA paratransit service. In response to the RI General Assembly’s request, RIPTA is now studying options to provide broader levels of accessible transportation, particularly to serve individuals whose travel does not fall within the existing RIde ADA paratransit service area. RIPTA will consider the costs and benefits of various options and report back to the General Assembly in early 2023.
The $75,000 study is funded through RIPTA’s share of the RI state gas tax.