Rhodies in the know understand that public transit offers numerous community benefits, starting with economic development. You’d be hard-pressed to name a city or metro region with a competitive, vibrant and thriving economy that doesn’t also have a robust and well-used transit system – the two go hand in hand. A quality public transit system also plays a vital role in supporting transit-oriented development (TOD), where new housing, jobs and services are within easy reach and spur local business growth, revitalizing Main Street corridors, creating jobs, and attracting private investment. It also reduces traffic congestion and climate emissions, helping to clean our air and meet our state’s ambitious environmental goals. And, since all transit passengers are also pedestrians, transit builds more physical activity into our daily routines—a win for public health.
Ultimately it’s about the freedom of mobility for all of life’s essentials – getting you where you’re going, when you need to get there, safely, conveniently, affordably and with dignity. And, it’s about strengthening Rhode Island as a place to live, learn, work, and thrive for people at every stage of life and income level.
SHARE THESE RIDES. And tell us, who do you want to see on the bus?! Tag @GrowSmartRI to let us know. We want everyone on board.
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It’s not every day you get to take your U.S. Senator for coffee on the bus! We recently did just that, meeting Senator Whitehouse at Kennedy Plaza and riding the #33 to Wayland Square to talk transit—timely, as he’s helping negotiate the reauthorization of the federal Surface Transportation Funding Act.
Over coffee at Madrid Bakery, we talked about the positive benefits of a strong transit system: vibrant local economies, lower emissions, and its role in expanding housing choices in walkable neighborhoods.
Here’s to 2026 being the year Rhode Island restores recent transit service cuts—and begins implementing a comprehensive, data-driven Vision and Master Plan for a system that gets people where they need to go, safely, affordably, and with dignity.
Read the full post in our stories and highlights! #rhodiesrideripta @rideripta and see who else has hopped on board #rhodiesintransit
#growsmartri
Meet the Inomuras! 🚍
Anastasiia, her husband, and their three young children live a car-free lifestyle in Rhode Island. The Exeter-based Inomura family rides RIPTA everywhere from the grocery store, hospital, and pediatrician to parks, playgrounds, and playdates.
But it’s not always about the destination - Anastasiia treats each trip as a mini-lesson to teach her kids social skills, planning, and responsibility in a safe and supportive environment.
“RIPTA buses have opened up the world for us and made it possible to live a very active life,” says Anastasiia. “We live in Exeter, but thanks to RIPTA, we’ve visited almost every corner of the state accessible by bus.”
Happy #TransitTuesday, Anastasiia!
#GoByTransit #PublicTransit #Transit #Buses #RhodeIsland #Commute #RIPTA #RideRIPTA #BusSpotting #Providence #ProvidenceRI
Reposted from @rideripta
#growsmartri
#rhodiesintransit
Grow Smart appreciates Mayor Smiley’s strong words at the April transit forum about the importance of transit and his promise to advocate for the funding RIPTA needs and deserves.
#growsmartri
#RhodiesInTransit
The only thing more fun than going to the playground, is taking the bus to get there! As a mom, here`s a few things I love about the bus:
1) my kids LOVE a good bus ride! Bonus points if a bus driver is riding in the back of the bus with us, as my kids beg for pictures with their bus driving heroes.
2) Kids 5 and under ride for free. And for me it`s only $2.00 for an hour of unlimited rides. And it`s only $6 for the day if we go crazy and decide to just spend the whole day jumping off and on buses when using the wave app
3) If you download the RIPTA Wave app, it couldn`t be more easy to load fare money onto your app/phone, so if you forgot your wallet at home or never have cash like me, it`s no problem at all.
4) Suddenly want to make a detour to make an unexpected stop? No worries! There`s often another bus route that can take you home from wherever you might be, allowing you to make your journey into more of an adventure (for us, it was a thrift store with a cool purple polka dot shirt made for us!). No need to search for parking or be tethered to your parking spot!
5) we make so many friends when we ride the bus and meet people we wouldn`t otherwise. It`s fun!!
6) Want to get off? Kids can ring the bell! Did I mention fun?!
@rideripta @ritransitriders @providencestreets #growsmartri #RhodiesInTransit
In celebration of the sold-out home opener at The Centreville Bank Stadium this weekend, Saturday, May 3, we’re thrilled to feature our #rhodiesintransit with the @cityofpawtucket and @pawtfnd.
For those with tickets on Saturday, or those who’ll be attending future games, what’s the best way to get there? The smart money is on @rideripta – just look how much fun we were having!
Learn more about Rhode Island’s Transit Master Plan, a data-driven, publicly-vetted and adopted vision for getting more Rhodies where they’re going when they need to get there, conveniently, affordably and with dignity.
Transit … where all walks of life can ride together.