As of January 15, 2022, RIPTA no longer accepts paper fare products on board.
Passengers must pay their fare with one of the following:
Wave is RIPTA’s smart fare collection system. It’s a convenient way for passengers to ride RIPTA with either a smart card or their smart phone. Click here for more information.
Passengers can trade in their old paper fare products through the Wave Exchange program.
MBTA CROSS FARE PROMOTION: RIPTA allows riders with MBTA monthly passes to board RIPTA buses at no cost now through July 2023. This allows riders the option of taking the bus to work or the MBTA train coming home, depending on the most convenient schedule option for the traveler.
| **Cash Fare | (Exact change only) $2 per boarding |
| Wave Full Fare | (1 hour of unlimited rides) $2 |
| Wave Day Pass | (for unlimited travel until 2am next day) $6 |
| Wave Monthly Pass | $70 |
| Senior/Disabled Off-Peak | $1.00 |
| RIde/Paratransit | $4 |
Once you add value to your Wave account, the Wave reader will deduct $2 from your stored balance when you tap your card or scan your app when you board. The $2 fare entitles you to one hour of unlimited rides! Don’t forget, with Earn As You Go, you will never pay more than the cost of a Day Pass in a day or the value of a Monthly Pass in a calendar month. You do not have to pre-purchase a Day Pass or Monthly Pass.
*Children under five years old ride free when accompanied by an adult (limit of three children per adult).
**Cash fares are exact change only. Drivers cannot make change.
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 at no cost.
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. These passengers pay full fare during RIPTA peak service hours (7am-9 am and 3pm-6pm) on weekdays. They can also use a Medicare Card to board.
For more information on how to apply for this program, please click here.
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.
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Refund/Exchange Policy
