STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS
89 JEFFERSON BOULEVARD
WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND 02888
| In Re: | ____________________________________________ 83 Rounds Avenue, #2 Providence, RI 02907 Application For Authority to Operate as a NEMT Provider Within the State of Rhode Island Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-3 ____________________________________________ |
Docket No. 26-MC-08
Hearing Officer: Leo J. Wold, Esq.
Hearing Held: February 2, 2026
Appearances: Vital Transport 24/7, LLC, Applicant
Francisco A. Heredia Delos Santos, Member
On January 21, 2026, Vital Transport 24/7, LLC, 83 Rounds Avenue, #2 Providence, RI 02907 (“Applicant”) filed an application with the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (“Division”) seeking a certificate of operating authority to operate as a non-emergency medical transportation (“NEMT”) provider within the State of Rhode Island. A duly noticed hearing on the application was held on February 2, 2026.
The Division has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-2.
For the Division to grant an applicant a certificate of operating authority as a common carrier to operate as a NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island, the applicant must register with the Rhode Island Secretary of State as a for-profit corporation and remain in good standing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Additionally, R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-3 provides that to obtain a certificate of operating authority to operate as a NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island, an applicant must show that it is fit, willing and able to provide the proposed services.
At the hearing on February 2, 2026, the Applicant’s member, Francisco A. Heredia Delos Santos (“Mr. Heredia Delos Santos”), appeared before the Division to testify in support of the application. No motions were filed by any person or business seeking status as either an Intervenor or a Protestor, and no one appeared at the hearing to oppose the application.
1. The Applicant is organized under the laws of the State of Rhode Island and currently is registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State.[1]
2. Mr. Heredia Delos Santos testified under oath that he is a citizen of the United States.
3. Mr. Heredia Delos Santos reaffirmed at hearing that he has not been charged with any criminal offenses, either state or federal.
4. Mr. Heredia Delos Santos reaffirmed at hearing that he has not been charged with any traffic violations within the last six years.
5. The BCI records returned from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office reflect that Mr. Heredia Delos Santos does not have any Rhode Island criminal convictions at this time.
6. Mr. Heredia Delos Santos testified he came to the United States from the Dominican Republic during the Pandemic. At that time, he obtained employment with Oak Street Health initially as a driver and then as a team leader and manager. Prior to driving for Oak Street Health, Mr. Heredia Delos Santos drove for Amazon for about six months.
7. Mr. Heredia Delos Santos remained with Oak Street Health for approximately three years after which he became employed as a driver with Pace Organization of Rhode Island (“Pace”). Pace provides individuals with an alternative to nursing home care. Pace coordinates all care to meet the daily needs of the client with a team of caregivers that includes social workers, nurses, and other professional staff.
8. Mr. Heredia Delos Santos testified that he envisions the Applicant as providing “friendly,” non-emergency medical transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities.
9. The Applicant appears to own sufficient assets to provide the proposed services.[2]
Based on the Record, the Applicant has met its burden of proof in showing that it is both registered and in good standing with the Rhode Island Secretary of State, and is fit, willing and able to provide the proposed services. The Division, therefore, finds that the Applicant is eligible and authorized to be issued a certificate of operating authority as an NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-3.
Accordingly, it is
(25602) ORDERED:
1. The application of the Applicant, seeking authority to operate as an NEMT provider within the State of Rhode Island, is hereby approved.
2. Within one-hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the effective date of this Report and Order, and before commencing operations within the State of Rhode Island, the Applicant must accomplish the following:
a. The Applicant must hand-deliver to the Division proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) that conforms to the minimum insurance requirements set forth in § 39-14.3-7 of the Rhode Island General Laws; and
b. The Applicant must register the vehicle(s) it intends to operate under its NEMT Certificate of Operating Authority with the Motor Carrier Section of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. Each vehicle must be appropriately marked in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-6.
3. The Applicant is responsible for ensuring that all its drivers obtain a valid “Blue Card” (Hackney Operator’s Permit) from the Motor Carrier Section of the Division.
4. The Applicant must comply with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.3-5, which confers upon the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles jurisdiction over the lighting, equipment, safety, and sanitary conditions of all NEMT providers. An inspection by the Division of Motor Vehicles is required before these vehicles may be operated within Rhode Island.
5. If the terms and conditions outlined in paragraphs 2(a) and 2(b), above, are not met within the prescribed one-hundred and eighty (180) days, the approval granted herein will be of no further force and effect.
DATED AND EFFECTIVE AT WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND, FEBRUARY 10, 2026.
| Leo J. Wold, Esq. Chief of Legal Services Hearing Officer |
I have read the Hearing Officer’s Decision and Order in this matter, and I hereby adopt the Decision and Order.
___________________________
Linda George, Esq.
Administrator
(PROVIDED PURSUANT TO R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-12)
Please be advised that if you are aggrieved by this final decision (report and order) of the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (“Division”) you may seek judicial review of the Division’s final decision by filing an appeal with the Rhode Island Superior Court. You have thirty (30) days from the mailing date (or hand delivery date) of the Division’s final decision to file your appeal. The procedures for filing the appeal are set forth in Rhode Island General Laws, Section 42-35-15.
Proceedings for review may be instituted by filing a complaint in the Superior Court of Providence or Kent Counties. Copies of the complaint must be served upon the Division and all other parties of record in your case. You must serve copies of the complaint within ten (10) days after your complaint is filed with the Superior Court.
Please be advised that the filing of a complaint (appeal) with the Superior Court does not itself stay enforcement of the Division’s final decision. You may, however, seek a stay from the Division and/or from the Court.
The judicial review shall be conducted by the Superior Court without a jury and shall be confined to the record. The Court, upon request, shall hear oral argument and receive written briefs.