We prove a random Ruelle–Perron–Frobenius theorem and the existence of relative equilibrium states for a class of random open and closed interval maps, without imposing transitivity requirements, such as mixing and covering conditions, which are prevalent in the literature. This theorem provides the existence and uniqueness of random conformal and invariant measures with exponential decay of correlations, and allows us to expand the class of examples of (random) dynamical systems amenable to multiplicative ergodic theory and the thermodynamic formalism. Applications include open and closed non-transitive random maps, and a connection between Lyapunov exponents and escape rates through random holes. We are also able to treat random intermittent maps with geometric potentials.
