October 28, 2016
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced today that it will launch a newly restructured Route 231 South Aquidneck Flex schedule on October 31, 2016 in order to better serve Newport and Middletown. The new Flex service is designed to provide a consistent regular transit schedule while still allowing the flexibility for customers to travel to their preferred destination in the Flex Zone. Passengers can now board the bus at one of six Flex Stops every 90 minutes as the bus loops through Middletown and Newport, making it more useful for unplanned trips.
Currently, Route 231 Flex has regular time points at the Newport Transportation & Visitors Center and the Newport Green (Bus shelter at Rose Street and Carroll Avenue). Beginning Monday, October 31St, in addition to these Flex Stops, RIPTA will add Flex Stops at Thames Street and Lee Avenue, Spring Street and Lee Avenue, Child & Family on John Clarke Road, and the YMCA on Valley Road.
The newly reconfigured Flex service will operate in a loop; Route 231 South Aquidneck Flex will still start and finish at the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center stopping along the way at the scheduled time points. The service will still be flexible and take customers to other locations in the Flex Zone upon request.
Passengers, who cannot travel during the set time points, can arrange for a Flex trip that better accommodates their schedule. To make a reservation, passengers will be required to call 1-877-906-3539 at least 24 hours in advance, not including weekends. Flex Service, which typically uses a 16-passenger vehicle with space for two wheelchairs, costs the same as regular RIPTA bus service. All RIPTA fare products are accepted on Flex.
To travel outside the Flex Zone, it is necessary to connect to fixed-route service. Route 14 (West Bay), Route 60 (Providence/Newport), Route 63 (Broadway/Middletown Shop), Route 64 (Newport/URI) and Route 67 (Bellevue/Mansions) passengers can easily connect to Route 231 South Aquidneck Flex at the Newport Transportation & Visitors Center. From there, passengers can board the Route 231 Flex Van.
Route 231 South Aquidneck Flex Service is available 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday, excluding holidays.
Flex Service, which is short for Flexible Service, is a reservation-based, curb-to-curb service designed to serve rural and suburban areas with little or no public transportation. Flex service is designed to be convenient, affordable public transportation, and provides the opportunity to connect to RIPTA’s fixed-route service. RIPTA introduced its innovative Flex Service in the South Aquidneck area of Middletown and the Fifth Ward area of Newport on Saturday, June 20, 2009.
Click here for more information on Route 231 South Route 231 South Aquidneck Flex Service. For more information on schedules or other RIPTA services, please call 781-9400 or visit ripta.com.