The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is set to debut a new microtransit pilot program.

The pilot, called Flex On Demand, is designed to revolutionize how Rhode Islanders experience public transit. The innovative service brings the convenience of rideshare apps to public transportation, allowing passengers to book a trip from wherever they are within the service area.

Similar to popular rideshare options, Flex On Demand offers on-demand public transit within the designated Flex Zone.

RIPTA’s New Microtransit Program

Passengers can request a ride using a smartphone app, which will provide an estimated pick-up time, track the ride in real time, and send an alert upon arrival. This service is fully ADA-accessible, offers curb-to-curb transportation, and — unlike many rideshare services — has no surge pricing.

"At RIPTA, we are always seeking innovative ways to connect our riders to where they need to go, and Flex On Demand is a prime example of that commitment," said Christopher Durand, interim CEO. "This new pilot program leverages the convenience of modern technology to make public transit more accessible, flexible, and responsive to the needs of our communities in South County. By integrating the benefits of rideshare with the reliability of public transportation, we're providing our riders with more choices and greater control over their travel experience."

The shared service allows customers to easily book their trips on a mobile device by using the Flex On Demand app. The app is available for download from both the Apple iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Passengers who do not have a smartphone can call a Flex reservationist.

Flex Service

Designed for rural and suburban communities, Flex provides convenient, affordable transportation within a community and the opportunity to make seamless connections to other locations in the state.

RIPTA first introduced Flex Service in November 2000 when the Narragansett Flex Zone became operational.

Microtransit is defined as a “technology-enabled service that uses multi-passenger vehicles to provide on-demand services with dynamically generated routing,” by the Federal Transit Administration.