The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today the launch of the “Beat Traffic, Try Transit” campaign. The campaign is designed to ease traffic congestion on the Interstate through Providence during peak travel times. Effective July 1, 2013, commuters can take advantage of discounted bus fares from select Park n’ Ride lots across the state as well as free parking at select commuter rail stations. The campaign runs through December 31, 2013.Commuters will have the option of using RIPTA’s fixed-route service at 50 percent off the regular rate at participating Park n’ Ride lots, along Routes 95 and 146, which provide service to Providence. They also can park for free at either the Wickford Junction or T.F. Green Train Stations and take the MBTA commuter rail (train fare is not included).
To take advantage of the RIPTA fare discount, passengers will be issued a “Beat Traffic One Day” pass from the bus driver. This special One Day pass entitles commuters to take the express bus in the morning to Providence and back for only $2.00.
Participating Park n’ Ride lots are as follows:
- Cranston (Midway Ave/Garden City)
- East Greenwich (Route 2 and 4)
- East Greenwich (First and Main)
- Hopkinton (Exit 1)
- Lincoln Mall
- North Kingstown (Route 2 and 102/Fiddlesticks)
- North Kingstown (Route 138 and 1A)
- Richmond (Exit 3)
- South Kingstown (at Tower Hill)
- South Kingstown (at Wakefield Mall)
- Warwick (Route 117)
- Warwick (Greenwood Community Church)
- West Greenwich (Exit 7)
- West Kingston (Route 2 and 138)
- West Warwick (Arctic/Crompton)
- Westerly Train Station
- Woonsocket Park Square
At the commuter rail stations, travelers can skip the machines to pay for parking and use the ticket they received in the morning to exit the garages. T.F. Green Station is located at 700 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, off Route 95 at Exit 13. Wickford Junction Station is located at 1011 Ten Rod Road in North Kingstown, off Route 4 at Exit 5.
The goal of “Beat Traffic, Try Transit” is to reduce traffic congestion at a time when RIDOT begins construction on the Providence Viaduct Bridge Replacement Project. The Viaduct is a central artery in our state – and in our region – and carries more than 220,000 vehicles per day. It is one of the most heavily trafficked stretches of interstate on the East Coast. For more information on this project, visit www.dot.ri.gov/Viaduct.
– Important Notes –
RIPTA’s fare boxes can accept cash denominations up to $20. No cash returns from driver; only change cards good for future rides will be issued. At Wickford Junction Station, a $4 daily charge will be incurred for overnight parking. At T.F. Green Station, parking beyond a 24-hour period incurs a $30.00 surcharge.
For more information, please call 401-784-9500 ext. 121 or visit www.tryritransit.com
