RIPTA outreach staff to help Providence students on 1st day of school

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will welcome Providence high school students as they return to school on Wednesday.

The transportation agency announced Tuesday that outreach staff will be at Kennedy Plaza in bright yellow vests starting at 7 a.m. to help students navigate the bus system. They will also be at some high schools in the afternoon.

“We’re excited about the first day of school, and getting students to class in the safest, most efficient way is our top priority,” said RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian.

To make the transition easier, students will not be required to present their Wave smart cards to the drivers until Sept. 30.

RIPTA staff will also give out bilingual informational flyers specific to each school.

Students can also download the Transit app to track their routes.

The transportation agency said if a special school trip is canceled, students can still use regular fixed-route service to get to school.

Students can use their local RIPTA route to Kennedy Plaza and then transfer to the route that goes to their school.