URI Community Gains Free Statewide RIPTA Bus Access

University of Rhode Island students, faculty and staff now have access to unlimited RIPTA bus rides without paying a fare through a new university transportation partnership.

The U-Pass benefit began October 1 and allows current members of the URI community to ride throughout Rhode Island using a valid university identification card.

The university says the benefit applies beyond commuting hours, including nights, weekends and university holidays. Riders can use buses for classes, jobs, internships, appointments and other trips.

URI’s transportation office says the program also includes RIPTA’s Flex On-Demand service, which operates within designated service zones.

To use the benefit on a bus, passengers board and swipe their valid URI ID at the farebox. RIPTA records the trip electronically and bills the university directly.

Cards must be current and belong to the person using them. Lost, stolen, canceled or obsolete identification cards will not work, and sharing a card is prohibited.

The university expects the partnership to ease parking demand and reduce vehicle traffic while expanding transportation options. More than half of URI students commute, according to its announcement.

Several existing routes connect the university with surrounding communities. Route 66 serves Providence and URI, while Route 64 links the Kingston and Bay campuses with Newport. Route 69 provides service between URI and South Kingstown or Narragansett.

Travelers should check current schedules before departing and allow time for transfers. The U-Pass covers eligible RIPTA travel; passengers connecting to Amtrak or MBTA trains should check those operators separately for fares and tickets.