RIPTA Fall Schedule Takes Effect August 31

August draws to a close this weekend, signaling the unofficial end of summer over Labor Day weekend. Starting Saturday, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's fall schedule goes into effect, bringing with it several service changes.

The largest change is the introduction of a new, express route to Fall River, Massachusetts. The new route will connect RIPTA to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority at the Pettine Transportation Center, linking Fall River, Providence and Newport. Route 24X will also provide Rhode Islanders a faster way to get to Newport, bypassing traffic from the ongoing work on the Pell Bridge.

Another, smaller route change is the extension of Route 55 to include Rhode Island College's main campus, part of an agreement that provides unlimited bus service to RIC students. The route will also make a stop at the Providence Place Mall.

Route 3 has been rebranded. Route 3A passengers should take Route 4, while Route 3B passengers should take Route 3.

Two stops have been added to Route 58, which will now service West River Industrial Park and Stop & Shop.

All of the following routes will also be affected by the fall schedule:

• 3 Warwick Avenue
• 8X Jefferson Blvd.
• 24X Newport/Fall River/Providence
• 29 Kent County
• 55 Admiral/Providence College
• 56 Chalkstone Ave.
• 57 Smith Street
• 58 Mineral Spring/North Providence
• 67 Bellevue/Mansions/Salve
• 92 East Side/Federal Hill/RI College

Ahead of the fall changes, passengers are encouraged to check route schedules ahead of time.