The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides public transportation throughout Rhode Island. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) provides public transportation throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including commuter train service to Providence and Warwick (TF Green Airport).
Transportation
Public Transit
RIPTA
Update on the East Side Tunnel: https://www.ripta.com/tunnel/
UPDATE: RIPTA to Reopen East Side Tunnel on Thursday, October 31, 2024
Ride RIPTA buses or trolleys for free with a Brown ID.
Current faculty, staff, and students are able to ride any RIPTA bus or trolley anytime, anywhere in the state at no charge. Brown’s investment in RIPTA's University Pass Program (U-PASS) program is one of many transportation initiatives benefiting its employees, students, and the broader community.
NOTE: Individuals with a Brown Visitor ID are not eligible for the RIPTA U-PASS program.
How It Works
Swipe your Brown ID through RIPTA's fareboxes and take a seat – it's that easy! Rides will be electronically counted and RIPTA will bill the University monthly. The University will review monthly statistics to ensure that only current, valid IDs are in use. IDs that are canceled, lost, stolen, or obsolete will be reported to RIPTA and will not work with the fareboxes.
IDs are for use on RIPTA only by the person pictured on the ID. Sharing your ID for RIPTA use is strictly prohibited and may result in your card being confiscated by the RIPTA driver.
RIPTA Contact Information
The RIPTA information number is 401-781-9400. Additional RIPTA information can be found on the RIPTA website or by contacting RIPTA's Commuter Resource RI “Commute Advisors” at 1-888-887-4782.
Sign up for RIPTA Email Alerts
You can sign up for email alerts for the routes you use on the RIPTA Schedules page.
Click on the route you would like to receive alerts for, then click on “Receive Updates for This Schedule,” provide your email, then click “Subscribe.”
MBTA
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), more commonly known as the T, is one of the oldest public transit systems in the United States. It's also the largest transit system in Massachusetts.
As a division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the MBTA provides subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit service to eastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island.
Brown does not currently offer discounts on MBTA Service.