Rhode Island General Laws Title 39. Public Utilities and Carriers § 39-13-2.1. Jitneys not subject to regulation

(a) Any person, association, or corporation operating a jitney, bus, or other motor vehicle as a transportation operator as defined in this chapter for the purpose of providing paratransit or coordinated paratransit services for the benefit of the citizenry of the state shall be exempted from regulation under this chapter.

(b) Transportation operators may enter contractual agreements with third-party transportation operators to provide paratransit services and the third parties shall be similarly exempted from regulation under this chapter.

(c) Provided, however, all transportation operators providing paratransit services shall be required to meet all driver and vehicle safety requirements as set forth in this chapter including but not limited to: (1) the same inspection standards or regulations as a jitney-registered vehicle including semi-annual safety inspections in accordance with chapter 38 of title 31; (2) that failure of a semi-annual state safety inspection shall result in suspension of the vehicle registration until such time as all defects are corrected; and (3) the requirements of § 39-13-11. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the power of the department of administration to require additional safety or other requirements, either by regulation or contract.