Governor McKee Announces Over $500,000 to Support RIPTA’s Efforts to Enhance Public Transit, Increase Ridership, and Advance Climate Goals

Published on Monday, September 15, 2025

McKee administration’s Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council officially confirmed the funding in a vote held today

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced more than $500,000 in new funding for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) to support key transportation initiatives that will enhance the quality of service and increase ridership as part of the effort to advance the state’s climate goals.

The funding, awarded today through the McKee administration’s Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4), will allow RIPTA to expand on-demand transit services, pilot a vanpool subsidy program, and launch a new effort to promote public transportation to visitors traveling to Rhode Island.

“My administration is providing additional resources to RIPTA, consistent with last month’s budget agreement, to support the agency in exploring lower-cost transit options that expand mobility statewide and move us toward a more sustainable financial model. At the same time, we’re keeping the focus on growing ridership and supporting our long-term climate goals,” said Governor Dan McKee. 

The funding will support three initiatives:

• $440,000 for Flex Service Enhancement: Following the recent service changes, this support will help RIPTA strengthen and expand its on-demand flex services to better meet demand and ensure mobility for residents and workers in Newport, Middletown, Narragansett, South Kingstown, and Woonsocket. These additional resources align with the McKee Administration’s proposal with RIPTA to explore ways to realign service to better reflect post-pandemic ridership behaviors, including piloting options to blend flex and ADA services to expand mobility statewide. Other states are also experimenting with on-demand models as a flexible, cost-effective alternative to traditional service, and Rhode Island has the chance to learn from these approaches while balancing rider needs with lower-cost service options. 
• $15,000 for a VanPool Pilot Program: This initiative provides a $200 monthly subsidy for new vanpool riders—on top of RIPTA’s existing $100 subsidy—for three months, allowing them to join at no cost during the trial period. Vanpooling offers a sustainable, cost-effective option for areas where traditional transit is less feasible, reducing congestion and emissions while improving access to jobs at industrial parks, hospitals, and universities. Each vanpool carries 4–15 commuters who would otherwise drive separately.
• $55,000 to Promote Transit to Visitors and Increase Ridership: This funding will support the continuation of RIPTA’s ongoing collaboration with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau to increase the visibility and utilization of transit among those visiting Rhode Island. RIPTA is requesting funding to offer complimentary bus passes to travelers who are arriving at T.F. Green Airport and/or staying at hotels in the state to welcome travelers to Rhode Island and encourage sustainable transportation choices. This request covers the cost of 4,000 day passes and funding for marketing, branding, and passenger information resources. This initiative will be part of a broader effort by RIPTA and the McKee Administration to partner with industry-specific employers and institutions that can help RIPTA reach new riders. 

“The EC4’s funding support for RIPTA represents a key step forward in advancing strategies to reduce emissions from the transportation sector and achieve the climate reduction goals outlined in the Act on Climate,” said DEM Director and EC4 Chair, Terry Gray. “This investment supports initiatives developed by RIPTA to help lower congestion, increase ridership by commuters, and encourage more sustainable transportation choices across Rhode Island.”

“We are grateful to Governor McKee and the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council for this critical investment in public transit,” said RIPTA Chief Executive Officer Christopher Durand. “This funding will allow RIPTA to not only improve mobility for residents, workers, and tourists, but also help grow ridership and advance Rhode Island’s long-term climate and transportation goals.”