Gov. McKee announces $500,000 to boost RIPTA ridership

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Governor Dan McKee announced over $500,000 in funding for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority on Monday.

The McKee administration’s Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council awarded the funds to RIPTA to expand transit services, start a vanpool program, and increase ridership, according to McKee.

“My administration is providing additional resources to RIPTA, consistent with last month’s budget agreement, to support the agency in exploring lower-cost transit options that expand mobility statewide and move us toward a more sustainable financial model. At the same time, we’re keeping the focus on growing ridership and supporting our long-term climate goals,” Gov. McKee said.

$440,000 of the funding will go towards enhancing RIPTA’s flex service, which offers on-demand rides to residents in Newport, Middletown, Narragansett, South Kingstown, and Woonsocket.

$55,000 will go towards increasing ridership, including the use of “complimentary bus passes” for visitors flying in and out of T.F. Green Airport or staying in hotels.

$15,000 of the funding will go towards a vanpool pilot program, which will provide a $200 per month subsidy, in addition to a pre-existing $100 subsidy, to new vanpool riders for three months.