Reduced Fare Bus Pass Program for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

Regulation Authority:

R.I.G.L section 39-18, et seq.

Purpose and Reason:

The purpose of the rule is to provide greater efficiency and quality control in the administration of RIPTA's Reduce Fare Bus Pass Program by standardizing the qualification and application process. There are two substantive differences between the proposed rule and final rule. First, the proposed rule would have required documentation of a disability rating of 70% or higher from the Veterans' Administration in order to qualify for a reduced fare bus pass. Based on public comment, the final rule reduces the 70% threshold to 40%. Second, under the proposed rule, individuals would be eligible to ride the RIPTA system at a reduced fare all day, regardless of their income. Under the final rule, individuals whose income falls below an income means-test would ride at a reduced rate all day, while individuals whose income falls above that means-test threshold would ride at a reduced rate only in "off peak" hours. The income means-test provision included in the final rule is part of the existing program as permitted by Rhode Island General Laws, Section 39-18-4. The proposed rule eliminated the means-test, but it has been re-instated in the final rule based on public comment and review.