Provide funding for riptas capital and operating expenses to continue safe and reliable service for the next 12-24 months

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority $6.075 million on August 5, 2026, under the State of Good Repair Grants Program (CFDA 20.525), a formula grant to support capital and operating expenses for safe and reliable paratransit and fixed-route service over the next 12 to 24 months.

Funded activities include paratransit van purchases, computer equipment, support facility rehabilitations, passenger facility rehabilitations, preventative maintenance, complementary ADA paratransit service, office equipment, and security enhancements. At least 0.75 percent of the award, per Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requirements, targets safety-related projects comprising support facility rehabilitations, passenger facility rehabilitations, preventative maintenance, and security enhancements. The funding allows the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to maintain its existing fleet and agency facilities while supporting planning initiatives for service expansion outlined in the agency's Unified Planning Work Program.

Performance occurs across Rhode Island. The obligation period runs through July 1, 2028. No sub-recipients are involved in this award. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, a state transit authority based in Providence, serves as the direct awardee; the State of Rhode Island is the parent organization.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide funding for riptas capital and operating expenses to continue safe and reliable service for the next 12-24 months.

Activities

The activities to be performed under this award include: paratransit vans purchase computer equipment support facility rehabilitations passenger facility rehabilitations preventative maintenance complementary ADA paratransit service purchase office equipment and security enhancements. See project details for full list of activities.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit ripta to continue to provide safe reliable service and maintain existing fleet and agency facilities. IT will also allow for planning initiatives for expansion of service and/or other outcomes outlined in in the upwp. The following activities are considered to be safety-related projects fulfilling the BIL requirement to spend not less than 0.75% of this award on safety-related projects: support facility rehabilitations; passenger facility rehabilitations; preventative maintenance; and security enhancements.

Intended beneficiaries

Intended beneficiariesripta and passengers in rhode island will benefit from the capital and operating funds within this award as they will allow for ripta to maintain its existing fleet and passenger and administrative facilities.