Best Transportation in Rhode Island — 13 resources

About Transportation for Women

Transportation assistance helps women get to work, court, prenatal appointments, childcare, and DV shelters. Public transit passes are often free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT, which covers rides to all covered medical visits at no cost), and WIC. Many workforce and job training programs include bus passes, and the Ways to Work program funds low-interest car loans for working parents. Domestic violence shelters often coordinate confidential relocation transportation through VAWA-funded programs. In rural areas, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs operate through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance.

Transportation in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Family Court is a statewide system handling all divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket are the largest cities. Rhode Island Legal Services and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services to women.

13 Resources

1. RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority)

RIPTA at 705 Elmwood Avenue in Providence operates the statewide bus network connecting Providence, Pawtucket, Warwick, Newport, and most cities. The R-Line (Broad-Elmwood) and Newport routes run frequently. Reduced fares for seniors, students, and qualifying low-income riders. Phone 401-781-9400 Mon-Fri.

401-781-9400 · 705 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907 · Routes vary; most run 5:30am-11pm · Visit Website

2. RIde Program — Paratransit

RIde is RIPTA's ADA paratransit service offering curb-to-curb rides for disabled women unable to use fixed-route buses. Eligibility requires a formal ADA application and assessment. Trips must be scheduled 1-7 days in advance via 401-784-9500. Same operating hours as the local bus route.

401-784-9500 · Statewide Service · Same hours as fixed-route service · Visit Website

3. MBTA Commuter Rail — Wickford Junction

The MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line at the Wickford Junction park-and-ride (7640 Post Road, North Kingstown) connects southern RI to Providence and downtown Boston. Weekday peak service primarily; limited midday and reverse-commute trains. Tickets via mTicket app or station vending. Phone 617-222-3200.

617-222-3200 · 7640 Post Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852 · Weekday rush hours primarily · Visit Website

4. RIPTA Flex Service — Rural Areas

RIPTA Flex Service provides curb-to-curb on-demand rides in defined zones in Pascoag, Glocester, Bristol-Warren, and South County — connecting rural mothers to medical, shopping, and bus-route hubs. Book 1-2 days ahead via 401-781-9400. Same fare structure as fixed-route bus.

401-781-9400 · Statewide Service · Varies by area · Visit Website

5. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor stops at Providence Station — Acela and Northeast Regional trains connect to Boston, New York, Washington, and beyond. Reduced fares for children, seniors, military, and AAA. Tickets at amtrak.com or 1-800-872-7245. Useful for women traveling for childcare or work in adjacent metros.

Nationwide · Online

6. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound at greyhound.com runs intercity buses stopping at the Providence bus terminal (1 Bonanza Way) with connections to Boston, NYC, and longer-distance routes. Low-cost option for women relocating or visiting family out of state. Online booking; reduced fares with advance purchase.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

Megabus.com and FlixBus run discount intercity routes from Providence to Boston, NYC, and Hartford with fares often under 0 and free WiFi. Book ahead online — single-digit fares appear on slower-travel-day departures. Useful when budget is the priority.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. US Department of Transportation — Free

Transportation.gov is the federal DOT site with information on public-transit funding, rail, and Title VI accessibility complaints. Useful when filing a complaint about a transit agency or understanding federal civil-rights protections in transportation. Free public information.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dialing 211 in Rhode Island connects callers to United Way of RI's information line for ride-to-medical-appointment programs, bus-pass assistance, and volunteer driver networks (especially for elderly women). Free, 24/7, multilingual.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

The VA's Beneficiary Travel program at va.gov reimburses women veterans for mileage to VA medical appointments and arranges free volunteer-driver rides through the DAV. Contact the Providence VAMC travel office at 401-273-7100 to enroll before your appointment.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare at modivcare.com manages non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) for RI Medicaid recipients — rides to doctor visits, dialysis, and specialty care at no cost. Mothers schedule rides 2+ days in advance via the member ride-line on their Medicaid plan card. Free for eligible RIte Care members.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation at aaafoundation.org publishes free research on driver safety. Their CarFit program assesses older drivers' fit with their vehicles — useful for elderly women or women caring for aging mothers worried about safe driving. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC at nadtc.org curates transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities — volunteer driver programs, paratransit, taxi vouchers, and mobility-management programs in every state. Useful for women coordinating rides for aging parents. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Rhode Island?
Women's Corner tracks 13 transportation resources for women in Rhode Island.
Are transportation resources in Rhode Island free?
9 of the 13 listed transportation resources in Rhode Island are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Rhode Island have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Providence, North Kingstown.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Rhode Island?
Featured entries include RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority), RIde Program — Paratransit, MBTA Commuter Rail — Wickford Junction, RIPTA Flex Service — Rural Areas, Amtrak.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
4 of 13 Rhode Island transportation listings include phone numbers.
How do I get a free bus pass?
Most transit agencies have reduced or free passes for low-income riders, seniors, students, and people with disabilities — apply through the transit agency directly. TANF and SNAP recipients often qualify for free passes through state Human Services. Domestic violence shelters, job training programs, and recovery programs typically provide transit passes for participants.
Are there free rides to medical appointments?
Yes. Medicaid in every state covers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — call your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to schedule rides to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, and pharmacy. American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery and Angel Flight provide free transportation for cancer and serious illness. 211 can find local volunteer driver programs.
Can I get help buying or fixing a car?
Yes — Ways to Work, Modest Needs, Vehicles for Change, and 1-800-Charity-Cars provide low-interest loans or donated vehicles to low-income working parents. Many state TANF programs have car repair funds for parents who need transportation for work. Local United Way 211 has the most current list — funds rotate.
What if I have no transportation to my job?
Tell your American Job Center caseworker — WIOA can fund transportation as a 'supportive service' including bus passes, gas cards, and car repair. SNAP E&T and TANF work programs also pay for transportation. Many employers in low-wage industries (logistics, healthcare) now offer transit stipends or shuttle service from designated pickup points.