PROVIDENCE — Most Rhode Island bus riders are people of color, dependent on transit, and come from households with incomes well below the poverty line, according to a rider survey presented by the Rhode Island Transit Authority.

The 25-question survey of nearly 5,500 riders took place during a month-long period last fall. The Federal Transit Authority requires RIPTA to conduct onboard surveys for rider demographics, as well as fare usage and travel pattern information.

About a month into extensive service cuts, board members and staff said the survey results will also be a useful tool in improving service and advocating for the agency into the future.

“It’s a great snapshot of the people that we serve,” said board member Normand Benoit, adding that he believes that data should be used when approaching the General Assembly for funding.

About 57% of the riders surveyed have a household income less than $25,000, about one-third of the state median income, which is nearly $85,000. The survey found that 62% of respondents were people of color.

Just over half of riders also don’t have a license or access to a car. A third more did have a license but not a vehicle. That points to the fact that most riders have no alternative but to take transit, said Sarah Ingle, RIPTA’s executive director of planning.

In addition to providing information about who the riders are, the survey also showed how and why they take public transit.

The survey showed that most riders from Providence are traveling to work and then home. The business district around City Hall, Brown University, and Providence Place were the most common origins and destinations for trips.

Most trips listed in the survey required a transfer, meaning that one bus often wasn’t enough to get riders to their destinations.

“So, the question that arises is there really ridership out there that we can attract into a system to make it more robust and more useful and displace the use of personal vehicles?” RIPTA board chair and Rhode Island Department of Transportation director Peter Alviti asked. He added that he is interested in seeing how suburban ridership could increase.

RIPTA CEO Chris Durand pointed to the success of the 10X line, which the agency synced to shifts at the Amazon facility in Johnston, and efforts to improve service to Quonset as examples of ways they’re trying to increase their suburban ridership.

“Ideally, we’d like to see that number go up,” he said, “trying to get them to change their travel patterns and give them options.”

RIPTA’s board also accepted a draft of its most recent financial plan. The plan had been due Sept. 30, but RIPTA was given an extension.

The plan reflected additional gas tax funding allocated to the agency and showed some of RIPTA’s funding history.

“We were starved essentially from the state of Rhode Island in their transfers,” said Benoit, referring to the relatively consistent allocations from the state, largely from the Rhode Island gas tax.

Benoit repeated that he hopes the financial plans can also be a resource as the agency looks to increase its funding in the coming year.

The next RIPTA board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20.