The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has done a great deal of work in order to accommodate passengers with special needs.

A personal care attendant accompanying an individual with a disability rides free.

All RIPTA fixed-route, flex, and paratransit buses are equipped with lifts. Ambulatory passengers may use the lift if they cannot climb the stairs.

Fixed Route Service is a transportation system that has a predetermined route with specified stops that conform to a timetable. In this service, drivers assist only those passengers using the lift. All vehicles are equipped with a lift. Fares are $1.25 each way with 10¢ transfers.

Flex Service offers transportation anywhere within a defined zone with connections to fixed route bus service for travel outside of the zone. Passengers may make a reservation to be picked up in their neighborhood and dropped off at a specific location in the zone or may board without a reservation at a flex bus stop and ask to be brought anywhere within the zone. Drivers help passengers get on and off. The fares are the same as RIPTA's fixed-route bus service.

Half-Fare And No-Fare Pass Program For Persons With Disabilities. Low-income persons with a disability may ride free with a RIPTA No Fare Pass. All other persons with a disability may obtain a RIPTA Half-Fare Pass, which allows them to pay half-fare during off-peak hours, holidays, and weekends, but they pay full fare during RIPTA weekday peak service hours, 7:00 am-9:00 am & 3:00 pm-6:00 pm. Individuals must be certified as having a disability and low-income persons must have income certification. Passes cost $2.00 and are valid for 2 years.

Paratransit Service. (RIDE) provides transportation to individuals with disabilities and seniors based on the eligibility requirements of several programs. Reservations are required for all paratransit services. All paratransit services other than those provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provide free door-to-door service throughout the state, but have limited weekday-only hours, and trip purpose is limited mainly to medical, meal site, and sheltered workshop trips.

ADA Paratransit service is available for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the fixed route public transportation system. Passengers are eligible if they have a disability that either prevents independent navigation of the fixed route system, prevents travel to or from bus stops, or necessitates an accessible bus but none is available. RIDE provides curb-to-curb service for ADA passengers. ADA Paratransit Service operates in the same service area as the fixed route (3/4-mile on either side of the fixed route) and also during the same hours as the fixed route. This service provides trips for any purpose and charges twice the fixed route bus fare ($2.50 each way). Passengers do not need to live within the 3/4-mile corridor to be eligible, but all ADA Paratransit Service trips must start and end in the corridor.