Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides public transportation, primarily buses, in the state of Rhode Island. The main hub of the RIPTA system is Kennedy Plaza, a large bus terminal in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The authority serves over 71,000 people a day, in 38 out of 39 Rhode Island communities.

History

RIPTA was created in 1964 by the Rhode Island General Assembly to supervise what had been previously a system of privately run bus and trolley systems. RIPTA began operating buses on July 1, 1966, inheriting services provided previously by the United Transit Company. Ridership had decreased in Rhode Island after the construction of the Interstate Highway System, and although it never returned to 1940s levels, RIPTA's ridership has increased slightly over the years as RIPTA has improved and expanded service.

Routes

RIPTA operates services in several categories. All services are operated from two garages, in Providence at 265 Melrose Street and Middletown at 350 Coddington Highway.