Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program for Low-Income Seniors and People with Disabilities

RIPTA offers a special Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program that allows qualifying low-income seniors (age 65 or over) and low-income persons with disabilities to travel free for two years. Participants in this no fare program are issued a “Valid All Day” photo identification card that they use to board the bus. To apply for this program please see information below.

RIPTA also complies with federal transit guidelines and offers half-fare boarding to seniors and persons with disabilities, regardless of income, during OFF PEAK hours. Passengers enrolled in this program are issued “Valid Off Peak” photo identification cards. These passengers pay full fare during RIPTA peak service hours (7am-9am and 3pm-6pm) on weekdays. They can also use a Medicare Card to board.

Veterans

Qualified U.S. military veterans are encouraged to apply for RIPTA’s reduced fare programs as they may be eligible for transportation benefits on RIPTA’s fixed-route service. Visit http://www.vets.ri.gov/ for more information on Veterans’ services in Rhode Island.

How to Apply:

Effective Monday, August 24, 2020, RIPTA will no longer process bus pass requests in person.

New bus pass for first-time applicants: Please follow steps 1 – 5 below.

1. Fill Out Application

Click below to print the application. If you need an application mailed to you, please contact RIPTA Customer Service at 401-784-9500 ext. 2012.

2. Provide a Photo (not required for renewal applications)

Attach one photograph to the application.
Submit a color photo, taken in last 6 months
Use a clear image of your face. Do not use filters commonly used on social media.
Have someone else take your photo. No selfies.
Take off your sunglasses for your photo.
Use a plain background.
To avoid processing delays, be sure your photo meets all the photo requirements.

Submitted photos that differ considerably from submitted Proof of Identity will not be accepted.

3. Proof of Identity

Attach a clear photocopy of a valid, current photo ID. One of the following must be provided:

Driver’s License
Passport
Veterans Administration ID Card
State ID Card

4. Fees

There is a $10 administration charge to process your application.
Include the fee in the form of a money order, credit or debit card.
Make your money order payable to “Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.”
Do not send cash. We are not responsible for cash sent through the mail.
$10.00 Administration Fee is non-refundable.

5. Mail Completed Application

Mail your completed application (with all supporting documentation), including your most recent photo, proof of identity and fees, to the address below:

Attention: Photo ID Office

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority

705 Elmwood Avenue

Providence, RI 02907

Upon receipt of completed application and payment, RIPTA staff will confirm the information provided in the application(s) and notify applicants within 21 business days of their status.

PHOTO IDENTIFICATION PRICE LIST

New customer: $10.00

Renewal customer: $10.00

Replacement cards: $20.00

Replacement cards are lost, stolen or damaged cards.

Damaged cards are cards that are bent, cracked or have any visible damage. All damaged cards must be mailed, along with the Replacement Card Fee, to the Photo ID Office at 705 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, 02907.

The replacement card fee is waived for cards that are malfunctioning. A malfunctioning card is a card that has no damage to it, but is unable to be read by the farebox. Once RIPTA verifies that the card is malfunctioning, and not damaged, a new replacement card will be mailed to you at no cost.

Money orders, credit cards and debit cards only. No personal checks will be accepted.

Money orders only. No personal checks will be accepted.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please call 401-784-9500 ext. 2012.

Applications & Document Checklist

The passes issued for these programs are valid for two years and there is a $10 processing fee per issuance. They are not transferable and will be confiscated if used by another individual that is not the person pictured on the pass. There is also a fee to replace cards that are lost or stolen.

In order to assist people in obtaining their RIPTA ID cards, the staff from RIPTA’s Photo Identification Office visit senior centers around the state every Friday on a rotating schedule.

Click here for the Road Trip Schedule