Rhode Island Human Services Agencies Look to Mitigate Impact of Elimination of Free Bus Pass Program

RIDEA and RIOVA launching pilot program for vulnerable seniors and veterans

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – As a new 50-cent reduced bus fare goes into effect on February
1, 2017, the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs (RIDEA) and Office of Veterans
Affairs (RIOVA) announced a new pilot program today to offer free 10-trip fare cards
to qualifying Rhode Island seniors and veterans.
The agencies will be purchasing a limited number of $5 fare cards (10 Trips) to
distribute to senior citizens and veterans who have qualified for the Rhode Island
Public Transit Authority’s (RIPTA) Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program. Through the end
of the current fiscal year, $150,000 will be invested in the pilot program, with
an allocation of $300,000 proposed in the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget for continuation
of the program.
The Division of Elderly Affairs will be partnering with senior centers throughout
the state, The POINT at United Way of Rhode Island, and the City of Providence’s
Office of Senior Services to distribute fare cards to seniors who carry the «Senior,
Valid All Day, Reduced Fare Bus Pass» on a first come first serve basis.
«Many Rhode Island seniors utilize public transit services to run errands – shopping
at the market, picking up prescriptions, going to appointments – but they also take
RIPTA buses to the senior center, to see family, to catch up with friends,» said
RIDEA Director Charles J. Fogarty. «Affordable and accessible transportation services
are needed to keep older adults socially engaged.»
The Office of Veterans Affairs will be distributing the fare cards on a first come
first serve basis to veterans who hold «Valid All Day, Reduced Fare Bus Pass» cards
at their locations in Warwick, Exeter and Bristol, as well as through a partnership
at the Providence VA Medical Center.
«Our veterans have served us and this pilot program gives us an opportunity to serve
them,» said RIOVA Director Kasim J. Yarn. «Assisting veterans with their transportation
needs – whether it’s getting to the grocery store or visiting their American Legion
post – is one way to recognize and honor their sacrifice.»
Eligible seniors and veterans can visit distribution sites on a monthly basis to
receive new $5 fare cards, while supplies last. The $5 fare card must be used in
conjunction with a qualifying reduced fare bus pass, otherwise the user will be
charged the full fare. The 50-cent fare being implemented is one-fourth of the full
RIPTA fare which is $2. For those in the Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program, a transfer
will also be one-fourth full transfer price, or 25 cents.
The majority of people enrolled in the Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program have Medicaid
coverage which will pay for trips to non-emergency medical destinations such as
doctor’s visits, physical therapy visits and much more. As a result, the fare cards
are intended to augment that travel and assist people in getting to the store,
community
centers and other destinations.
Officials said that the pilot program is the result of a variety of State agencies
working together on the issue of affordable transportation for low-income senior
citizens and veterans. State leaders recognize that this program may not serve
the needs of all riders, and are committed to learning from these pilot programs
to understand how to best serve the populations impacted by RIPTA’s fare increase.
Access to reliable transportation provides people with choices, freedom, and
opportunities.
For a listing of senior center distribution locations, contact the Division of Elderly
Affairs at 401-462-3000 or The POINT at 401-462-4444.
For a listing of veteran distribution locations, contact the Office of Veterans
Affairs at 401-921-2119.
Passengers not yet enrolled in the Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program can obtain a reduced
fare pass by submitting the requisite information to RIPTA’s Photo Identification
Office, which is open at 705 Elmwood Avenue in Providence on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 9 am to 12:00 pm and from 1 pm to 4 pm. The office is open at Kennedy Plaza
in downtown Providence on Mondays and Wednesday, from 9 am to 12:00 pm and from
1 pm to 4 pm. For more information on the Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program, customers
can visit http://bit.ly/1iYyI5l.
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0015rl0CCl3MyJdtSIXyD71ny7R-jwdjrMRuOm5qfQW4ISWMHxmcQub66562Otka609GIAK8xEJ0IRzmw00er2hbervW_kZ2p8oZhVtrNVKtaWAOXZ5XHSGPjbKY_iHpEbpQr0QcjEhSg-jVoAhMTbDFwTIS1HRfvVfZZi4h4lKRQ0=&c=Sa66hpvojrSpODv3w3LWqwK0FVthGzaG-xFNVNl84Ro5HST_1MDCIw==&ch=gh3PBujfsf68AbrSiZrTIA-8h8tyT_sFKmzf_gnHufxt8YpiEr-QSQ==]
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Veteran Distribution Locations
please contact the designated location to learn distribution dates and times
Providence VA Medical Center, Primary Care Social Work Staff
830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908/(401) 273-7100, x4229
RI Office of Veterans Affairs
560 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02886/(401) 921-2119
RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery
301 South County Trail, Exeter, RI 02822/(401) 268-3088
RI Veterans Home
480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI 02809/(401) 253-8000
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Senior Center Distribution Locations and Catchment Areas
please contact the designated location to learn distribution dates and times
Smithfield Senior Center: serving seniors living in Smithfield, North Smithfield,
Glocester and Burrillville
1 William J. Hawkins, Jr. Trail, Greenville, RI 02828/(401) 949-4590
Senior Services, Inc.: serving seniors living in Woonsocket, Cumberland and Lincol
84 Social Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895/(401) 766-0516
Salvatore Mancini Resource and Activity Center: serving seniors living in North
Providence
2 Atlantic Boulevard, North Providence, RI 02911/(401) 231-0742
Leon Mathieu Senior Center: serving seniors living in Pawtucket and Central Falls
420 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860/(401) 728-7582
Johnston Senior Center: serving seniors living in Johnston, Foster and Scituate
1291 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919/(401) 944-3343
PROVIDENCE locations serving seniors living in Providence:
Mayor’s Office of Senior Services
Providence City Hall, Room 101, Providence, RI 02903/(401) 421-2489
The POINT and United Way 2-1-1 Van
United Way of Rhode Island, 50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909/(401) 462-4444
Federal Hill House
9 Courtland Street, Providence, RI 02909/(401) 421-4722
East Providence Senior Center: serving seniors living in East Providence, Barrington,
Bristol and Warren
610 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914/(401) 435-7800
Cranston Senior Services: serving seniors living in Cranston
1070 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI 02920/(401) 780-6000
West Warwick Senior Center: serving seniors living in West Warwick, Coventry, West
Greenwich and East Greenwich
145 Washington Street, West Warwick, RI 02893/(401) 822-4450
Pilgrim Senior Center: serving seniors living in Warwick
27 Pilgrim Parkway, Warwick, RI 02888/(401) 468-4090
Westerly Senior Citizens Center: serving seniors living in Westerly, Charlestown,
Richmond and Hopkinton
39 State Street, Westerly, RI 02891/(401) 596-2404
The Senior Center: serving seniors living in South Kingstown, Exeter, North Kingstown,
Narragansett, Jamestown & New Shoreham
25 St. Dominic Road, South Kingstown, RI 02879/(401) 789-0268
The Edward King House: serving seniors living in Newport, Portsmouth, Middletown,
Tiverton and Little Compton
35 King Street, Newport, RI 02840/(401) 846-7426