Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program for Low-Income RIPTA bus passes – If you are a person who needs transport services as you are a low-income, disabled, or senior citizen then you can look for RIPTA bus passes. RIPTA bus passes are available in Rhode Island for their citizens. People who qualify for RIPTA bus passes will ride for free on the buses. However, if you are a student and need transport service to go to school and come back but can’t afford it then you can apply for RIPTA bus passes for students. Not only this, but RIPTA offers bus passes to people who meet their requirements and also need help with transportation services.
If you want to get more info about RIPTA bus passes or how to get free RIPTA bus passes for different people then you can read this article completely and get all info. So, let’s continue.
Highlights of this Post
Reduced fare bus pass program for low-income seniors and people with disabilities
In a day to day life, people have to travel a lot for their different work. However, it may not be possible for all passengers to pay for their rides. That’s why many times when they are sick or need to go for important work they look for the transport services that help them to reach the destination for free or cost or at low-cost charges. To help such types of people there are various bus companies that offer reduced rate bus fees or provide free services for some specific people.
One of those bus companies is RIPTA. RIPTA offers free or low-cost bus fare charges for senior citizens (at 65 or more) and disabled people. So that they can travel across the nation and can get proper treatment as well as can do their important work with the help of low-cost transport charges.
Even RIPTA offers Reduced Free Bus Pass Program for low-income seniors and disabled people. So they can travel for free, for two years. Under this program, participants will get a “Valid All Day” photo id card or bus pass that they can use to travel in buses. You can also see that it offers half-fare boarding to seniors and disabled people that they can use during OFF PEAK hours. Passengers who are qualified for this program will get a “Valid Off Peak” photo identification card. These passengers can also use Medicare cards to board.
To know more about how to get a free bus pass for low-income people, senior citizens, “How to Ride Guide” for seniors, how to apply for a free bus pass for homeless, or where to buy RIPTA bus pass for the homeless and people with disabilities, or use RIPTA bus passes or benefits from their bus programs then read continue and get all information from below.
Process to Get free RIpta Bus Passes
Here you will get info on how one can apply for the RIPTA bus pass program and/or if someone is already a user then how they can renew their bus pass. So, let’s continue and know about how to apply for a RIPTA bus pass for seniors and disabled people or renew the RIPTA bus pass.
How to apply for Ripta free Bus Passes
One can apply for RIPTA bus passes through their RIPTA bus pass program for seniors, homeless, disabled people, Veterans, students, Victim of domestic violance and low-income. For the RIPTA bus pass program, one can apply via mail as well as in-person application, as it accepts both. If you are an existing user of the RIPTA bus pass then you can renew it before its expiration date, or before one month from the expiry of the bus pass. But if you are a new person and want to apply for a RIPTA bus pass then follow the given below steps from 1 to 5. Let’s look at those steps and apply for a RIPTA bus pass.
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Fill out application
If you need a disability bus pass application to fill out and want to mail it to you, then you can contact RIPTA customer service at 401-784-9500 ext. 2012 or can apply here.
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Provide a photo
For a bus pass, you have to provide a photo of yours, but follow the rules given below:
- Attach your photo to the application.
- Submit the color photo that was taken in the last 6 months.
- Don’t use any filters on the photo.
- Make sure the photo is not a selfie and taken by someone else.
- The photo must have a plain background, and also take off your sunglasses for the photo.
If you want that your work will be done fast, then make sure that you follow these rules for photos. Along with this make sure, that you provide the same photo as the photo is provided for proof of identification.
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Proof of identity
Along with the application, provide proof of identity with a current photo. You must provide one proof that is given below:
- Passport
- State’s id card
- Driver’s license
- Veterans Administration id card
Make sure you provide a clear photocopy of one of the above-given id proofs.
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Fees of application
Here are some fees related instructions are given, that every participant has to know about them, these are:
- There is an administration charge to process the application which is $10.
- Don’t send money as cash, because RIPTA is not responsible for sending money via mail.
- One has to make sure that the $10 administration fee is non-refundable.
- You have to make your money order payable to “Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.”
- You can make a fee in the form of a credit or debit card, or via money order.
All these things one has to note for paying fees for RIPTA application.
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Mail completed application
When you complete all the steps then you have to mail your application attached with a recent photo, fees, and proof of identity. You have to mail your application to the below address:
Photo ID Office, RIPTA,
705 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
When you submit your application and payment after that RIPTA staff will confirm the information that you provide in the application form. And they will notify you within 21 business days about the status of your application.
Ripta Photo identification price list
Here is some important info about the photo identification price list. These are:
New Customer: $10
Renewal Customer: $10
Replacement cards: $20
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged or need a replacement card then you can read the given below info:
If your card is bent, cracked, or has any visible damage it will be a damaged card and you can apply for a replacement card. For this, you have to print and fill out the replacement card request form. You have to mail your replacement card request form along with a damaged card and replacement card fee to the Photo ID office address (given above).
If your card is in a good state but unable to read the farebox that means it is malfunctioning. Once RIPTA verifies that your card is malfunctioning and has not any damage then you will get a new replacement card via mail without any fee.
If you have any queries about the RIPTA free bus pass program then you can make the call at 401-784-9500 ext. 2012.
Applications and documents checklist
Here is the list of the documents and applications that one has to look for and these are:
- Photo ID application for persons with Disabilities and Seniors (low-income): Download the form or apply for a RIPTA bus pass online.
- Senior Photo ID application (Reduced Off Peak): Download the form or apply online.
- Overview of the Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program
The passes that are issued by these programs are valid for two years and for the cards, applicants have to pay $10 as a processing fee. These cards are not transferable and will be confiscated if someone other using the card or if that person’s picture is not the same as on the pass.
RIPTA to give out 600 bus passes to low-income and unhoused or homeless Rhode Islanders will receive a RIPTA no fare bus pass under a new six-month pilot program
There is a new program launched by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority that is a new pilot program. Under this program, hundreds of low-income and unhoused Rhode Islanders will get free rides on the bus for the next six months. This program is helpful and a game changer for people who are facing homelessness and lack reliable transportation to access the services that can help them to get back on their feet. The recipients of this pilot program must have 200% income under the poverty threshold and no requirements to meet with the already existing transit assistance programs.
RIpta free Bus Passes Pilot Projects
This new pilot program of RIPTA offers 600 passes to agencies that help low-income and unhoused individuals in the state. For this, RIPTA works with the Rhode Island Association of Community Action Agencies along with Mathewson Street United Methodist Church, the Rhode Island Coalition, and various other organizations. In this way, they distribute the bus passes to the homeless and crossroads Rhode Islanders.
Organization that help with Free Ripta Bus Passes
Some organizations offer help to people or participate in the pilot program:
- Blackstone Valley Community Action Program (BVCAP)
Contact: 401-723-4520
- Community Action Partnership of Providence County
Contact: 401-273-2000
Email: [email protected]
- Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP)
Contact: 401-467-9610
Email : [email protected]
- Community Care Alliance
Contact: 401-235-7000
- East Bay Community Action Program
Contact: 401-437-1000
Email : [email protected]
- Tri-County Community Action Program
Contact: 401-351-2750
Email : [email protected]
- Westbay Community Action Program
Contact: 401-732-4666
Email : [email protected]
Non Profit Organizations that help with Ripta free Bus Passes
Not only these organizations, but here are some non-profit organizations also available that participate in the pilot program, these are:
- Crossroads Rhode Island: Provides housing and homeless services in RI. Contact: 401-521-2255
Email : [email protected]
- Mathewson Street United Methodist Church : provides a hot breakfast every Sunday to the needy. Contact: 401-331-8900
Email : [email protected]
- Rhode Island Coalition to END Homelessness : works together with advocates, providers, and faith-based organizations to provide help to homeless people and end homelessness. Contact: 401-277-4316
Email : [email protected]
- Church Beyond The Walls : They meet every Saturday and provide weekly services to people and share community meals. Contact: 401-274-4500
Email : [email protected]
All these are the profit and non-profit organizations that work to provide bus passes as well as other services to homeless and low-income people in RI. To get more info about the pilot program, visit www.ripta.com/NoFarePilot.
Riders with disabilities Program
Passengers who are low-income seniors and disabled are qualified for assistance under RIPTA’s Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program. This program is for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. People who qualify for this program will get a free ride on the buses or cabs that provide transportation services from RIPTA. They will get a free bus pass RI and can use it to ride in the buses. You can get more info about RIPTA and its program & services by reading Continue.
RIde Program
The RIde program is for people who are disabled and prevents the use of fixed-route buses. The RIPTA offers paratransit service through the RIde program as it is required by the ADA. ADA paratransit provides door-to-door service to disabled people so that they can get full transport services, for this, they need advanced reservations on the bus.
ADA service
ADA paratransit service is available for people with disabilities. So that they can get full transport service from their door and can reach to their destination with the help of buses. However, all ADA trips must start and end in the corridor. ADA service operates during the same hours that the fixed route bus runs. This will help people with disabilities to board and reach their destination on time.
How to access the RIde program mobile application
You can also use the RIde program on your mobile by using its mobile application. For this, you have to open Google Play Store or Apple Store on your device. Then search for RIde Reveal and then select Get or Install. The app has many features that one can use for free, such as:
- High contrast view
- Pinch-to-zoom features
- Expected customer fare
- Compatibility with most commonly used screen reader software
- Expected vehicle type (taxi or bus or cab)
All these features are provided by the app to their users. However, to use the app on your device, you have to log in with some information, such as:
- Agency code, RIPTA customer number, and password (4 digits of your birth year).
Once the app is installed, then you can change the password, or reset it if you forgot it. If you want to add a text notification number to your customer profile then you have to inform about it to a CSA.
For Ride information call
To get more info about RIde then you can make the call at 401-461-9760 and get any type of info related to your driver, vehicle, pick-up time, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions given that can help you to get solutions to your queries.
Does RIPTA have an app?
The official RIPTA Wave app is your ticket to ride RIPTA. One can use it to pay for RIPTA bus fares or scan their bus pass to ride for free.
What is the RIde program in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, the RIde program is for people with disabilities. Through this program, disabled people will get help to use the free transportation services from their door ad reach their destination place, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How do I use the RIPTA app?
One can first install the app on their device, and they can use it on the bus for paying the bus charge or show their bus pass. They can do this by scanning it under the validator on the bus.
Conclusion
Now, you see that people who are disabled, senior citizens, or low-income will get free bus rides through RIPTA. However, they have to fulfill some requirements to apply for the RIPTA bus pass program. Along with this, those people have to provide all the necessary info and documents that are asked to submit. One who needs transportation help can apply for RIPTA bus passes in person and by mail, by filling out the application. If you have any queries then you can contact their RIPTA customer service number at 401-461-9760 anytime and get help from them. However, same-day reservations are not available in RIPTA buses for this, you have to make advanced reservations on the bus. Or if you want to cancel your reservation then you have to do it before 2 days of your scheduled time. However, once you qualify for the RIPTA bus pass program then you will get free rides on the buses.