KINGSTON, R.I. — Oct. 1, 2026 — The University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority have signed an agreement that will provide URI students, faculty, and staff with free, unlimited access to RIPTA bus service throughout Rhode Island using their URI ID cards.

Under the new partnership, all enrolled URI students and University faculty and staff will be able to use their URI ID cards to board any RIPTA bus at any time, including nights, weekends, and during University holidays. The program makes URI the latest Rhode Island college or university to participate in RIPTA’s U-Pass program, which provides members of the University community with unlimited access to public transportation.

The program is expected to provide significant benefits both on and off campus. More than 50 percent of URI students commute to campus, and expanded access to public transportation can help reduce the number of vehicles traveling to and from the University, free up parking spaces, and help alleviate traffic congestion on and around campus.

“We recognize that public transportation is an important service for many members of the URI community—not only as a way to get to and from campus, but also for their day-to-day transportation needs,” said Ellen Reynolds, vice president for student affairs. “This partnership expands access to a convenient and reliable transportation option for students, faculty, and staff while helping connect our community to destinations and opportunities throughout Rhode Island.”

“This partnership gives members of the URI community another convenient and reliable way to get to campus and travel throughout Rhode Island,” said Michael Jagoda, assistant vice president for public safety and URI chief of police. “Expanding access to public transportation can help reduce demand for parking and the number of vehicles traveling to and from campus, while giving students, faculty, and staff greater flexibility in how they get where they need to go.”

The U-Pass program provides members of the URI community with greater access to destinations throughout Rhode Island, as well as transportation options for off-campus employment, internships, appointments, and other everyday needs. The program also provides connections to train and commuter rail services.

“Public transportation plays an important role in connecting Rhode Islanders to the opportunities that help them build their future, whether that’s getting to class, to work, or an internship or job,” said RIPTA Chief Executive Officer Christopher Durand. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with URI to make statewide transit more accessible to students, faculty, and staff and help ensure transportation is not a barrier to education or employment.”

By making public transportation readily available through existing URI ID cards, the program also gives members of the University community an opportunity to become more comfortable using public transit and provides an accessible transportation option for travel throughout the state.

“Providing our students, faculty, and staff with reliable transportation options supports our University community while also connecting people to employment, communities, and opportunities throughout the state,” said Abby Benson, senior vice president for administration and finance. “This partnership with RIPTA expands how members of the URI community can navigate Rhode Island and access the resources they need, while supporting the University’s sustainability goals.”

The U-Pass program is available to all enrolled URI students and University faculty and staff beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Eligible participants can use their URI ID cards to access eligible RIPTA bus service free of charge.

For more information about the U-Pass program, including participating routes and services, visit RIPTA’s student page at www.ripta.com/students.