RIPTA Debuts New Pilot On-Demand Service in South County
Travel On Your Terms with RIPTA’s Innovative Flex On Demand Mobile App Starting Monday, August 26, 2024
Providence, Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will debut a new microtransit pilot program starting Monday, August 26, 2024. The pilot, called Flex On Demand, is designed to revolutionize how Rhode Islanders experience public transit. This innovative service brings the convenience of rideshare apps to public transportation, allowing passengers to book a trip from wherever they are within the service area.
RIPTA is launching Flex On Demand in the 203 Flex Zone, which includes Narragansett, South Kingstown, and Kingston. The pilot service is available Monday through Friday from 7:50am to 5:00pm and on weekends and holidays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The cost for a one-way trip is $2.00, the same as RIPTA’s fixed-route bus service. All Flex Vans are equipped with wheelchair-accessible features to accommodate passengers with limited mobility.
Similar to popular rideshare options, Flex On Demand offers on-demand public transit within the designated Flex Zone. Passengers can request a ride using a smartphone app, which will provide an estimated pick-up time, track the ride in real time, and send an alert upon arrival. This service is fully ADA-accessible, offers curb-to-curb transportation, and—unlike many rideshare services—has no surge pricing.
“At RIPTA, we are always seeking innovative ways to connect our riders to where they need to go, and Flex On Demand is a prime example of that commitment,” said Christopher Durand, interim Chief Executive Officer. “This new pilot program leverages the convenience of modern technology to make public transit more accessible, flexible, and responsive to the needs of our communities in South County. By integrating the benefits of rideshare with the reliability of public transportation, we’re providing our riders with more choices and greater control over their travel experience.”
RIPTA is offering the first Flex On Demand ride free with promo code “203Free.” Riders can redeem the promo code within the Flex On Demand app after signing up for an account. Limit one (1) ride per account. Promo code valid until September 30, 2024.
The shared service, which is only available in the 203 Flex Zone, allows customers to easily book their trips on a mobile device by using the Flex On Demand app. The app is available for download from both the Apple iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Passengers who do not have a smartphone can call a Flex reservationist on weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm at 401-784-9500, EXT. 1220 to book their ride.
Flex Service
Designed for rural and suburban communities, Flex provides convenient, affordable transportation within a community and the opportunity to make seamless connections to other locations in the state. Flex Service was first introduced in November 2000 when the Narragansett Flex Zone became operational.
Microtransit is defined as a “technology-enabled service that uses multi-passenger vehicles to provide on-demand services with dynamically generated routing,” by the Federal Transit Administration.
For more information – including a map of the 203 Flex Zone – visit RIPTA.com/FlexOnDemand.
Cristy Raposo Perry
Director of Communications & Public Outreach
Phone: 401-784-9500 x1242
Email: raposo@ripta.com
UPCOMING OUT OF OFFICE : August 27 – September 10, 2024