Pass Program: Seniors & People with Disabilities

Low income persons with a disability or aged 65 and above may ride free of charge with a RIPTA No Fare ID Pass. All other persons aged 65 and above or with a disability pay full fare during RIPTA peak hours of service (7 am - 9 am and 3 pm - 6 pm) on weekdays and pay 1/2 fare all other times upon presentation of a RIPTA Senior/Disabled Reduced Fare ID Pass or a Medicare ID Card.

Fare Policy

Any person holding a Senior or Disabled Reduced Fare ID is required to pay half-fare during off-peak hours and full fare during peak hours on all fixed route service.

Any person holding a Senior or Disabled No Fare ID rides free on all fixed route service.

Guidelines for Certification

Elderly people 65 years old or more are eligible to receive a RIPTA Reduced Fare ID pass by presenting in person one of the following:

• RHODE ISLAND DRIVER'S LICENSE
• BIRTH CERTIFICATE
• HOSPITAL CARD, if it shows date of birth
• STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD
• PASSPORT
• CITIZENSHIP PAPERS
• GREEN CARD
• MEDICARE CARD

All persons certified as having a disability are eligible to receive a RIPTA Reduced Fare Disabled ID. Certification of disability may be obtained in the following ways:

1. With proof that you are receiving a disability benefit. Valid identification includes:
   • Medicare Card
   • Current (within the past year) Social Security Disability Award Letter, Benefit Verification Letter, or Cost of Living Adjustment Notice (Letter must indicate the individual is receiving disability benefits)
   • Veteran Administration Letter with a disability rating at or above 70%
   • Letter from Employer or Employer's Disability Insurance provider with a disability rating at or above 70%
   
   
2. A letter from a Social Service Agency that certifies that you have a disability. Currently, approved organizations are:
   • Easter Seals Society
   • Muscular Dystrophy Association
   • Multiple Sclerosis Society
   • RI Hospital Hearing and Speech Center
   • RI Infantile Paralysis Society
   • School for the Deaf
   • Services for the Blind
   • Vocational Rehabilitation
   • United Cerebral Palsy
   
   
3. Completion of a Reduced Fare Program for Person with Disabilities Application Form.
• All questions on the application must be answered completely and verified by your physician/health care professional. RIPTA will notify you within 21 days of receiving your completed application whether you qualify or not.
• Certification letter from RIPTA must be presented at the RIPTA ID office in order to receive a Disabled ID.

HOW TO OBTAIN RIPTA SENIOR OR DISABLED ID WITH "NO FARE" STATUS
Meet eligibility requirements for Reduced Fare Status and...

1. Meet Low Income Eligibility Requirements
   1. The State of Rhode Island's Department of Elderly Affairs establishes the income limits for a single person and married couples, and certifies eligibility.
   
   
2. Present one of the following forms of identification showing proof of income eligibility:
   
   1. RI Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Elderly Card (RIPAE Card 8018 only )
   2. Medical Assistance Card (Medicaid Card)
   3. No Fare Certification Letter from the Department of Elderly Affairs.
   
   
3. WHERE TO OBTAIN "NO FARE" CERTIFICATION LETTER
   1. Any qualifying seniors and disabled persons who do not possess a RIPAE or Medicaid Card, but believe they meet the income requirements must go to the Department of Elderly Affairs, located at 35 Howard Ave, Building #55 (2nd floor), Cranston (phone: 462-3000), to be certified. For verification purposes you must present proof of income.
   2. Documentation needed for proof of income include the following:
      • Current Social Security Award Letter
      • Current Veterans Administration Award Letter
      • Copy of current check, and/or bank statement, and/or pension statement
   3. If person is deemed eligible, The Department of Elderly Affairs will issue a certification letter that must be brought to the RIPTA ID office.
   4. Specific questions concerning eligibility requirements must be directed to the Department of Elderly Affairs at 462-3000.

Peak Hours:
     7 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 6:00 pm on weekdays.

Off-peak Hours:
     Before 7 am, between 9 am to 3 pm, and after 6 pm on weekdays; and all day on weekends and holidays.

Any person who accompanies and is assisting a person with a disability or an elderly person is eligible to ride free. The Senior or Disabled ID will indicate whether an attendant/escort is eligible to ride free.

• Senior IDs cost $5.00 and are valid for 5 years.
• Disabled IDs cost $2.00 and are valid for 2 years.

• RIPTA Identification Office
  Kennedy Plaza, Providence
  tel: 784-9500 ext. 604
  
• Road Trip Community Outreach Program
  In an effort to improve transportation and mobility options, the RIPTA Identification Office travels to communities and senior centers throughout Rhode Island to enroll eligible residents. Call 784-9500 ext. 604 for specific dates and times.

For organizations that serve people with disabilities, log on to:

• The International Center for Disability Resources
• State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Rhode Island Government Information
• Adaptive Environments
• Half the Planet
• Disability Direct
• Project Action
• Rhode Island Governor's Commission on Disabilities
• Employment and Training Administration
• Metro West Center for Independent Living
• Ocean State Center for Independent Living
• Social Security Online
• Office of Rehabilitation Services