Greater City Providence
Rhode Island Airport Corporation Unveils the Region’s Newest Transportation Connection
“INTERLINK, Connecting you to New England”
WARWICK, R.I. – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) is pleased to unveil the name of the new Intermodal facility at T.F. Green Airport. The transportation hub will be known as the INTERLINK, a name illustrative of its multi-modal connectivity.
Students attending Rhode Island Colleges and Universities with concentrations in business, marketing and/or communications were invited to assist in branding the facility by submitting names and taglines for consideration.
The winning proposal was submitted by Bryant University seniors Justin Andrews, Jameson (Jack) Antonowicz, Jacquelyn Parr, Pat Sargent and Brittany Beckerman with help from Mara Chapin and Hillary Smith. The students are all marketing majors under the instruction of Professor Jean Murray. They submitted an initial name and tagline along with an essay providing a clear understanding of the Intermodal. The students then presented their concepts in a brainstorming session where name and tagline were further refined.
The students suggest, “The name speaks to the action of what the intermodal does. The word Link acts as both a noun and a verb”¦ the system links travelers to modes of transportation, including roadways, railways and the airway.”
“These talented Bryant University seniors researched the project and presented creative ideas for a name and tagline but also went beyond the requirements and offered a logo and sample marketing recommendations,” said Kevin Dillon, President and CEO. “Their efforts provided us with a good baseline to work from as we brand this facility for its regional connectivity and broad national and global appeal to airlines and travelers alike.”
Combining the concept of Link with the creative talent of RDW Group, the airport’s agency of record, RIAC now has a logo, tagline and graphic treatment with which to brand the regional transportation hub. (logo included below)
The INTERLINK will change the way Rhode Islanders travel. Opening in fall 2010, commuter rail, Intercity bus connections, rental car services and air connections will all be brought together. Travelers can access all these modes of transportation in a matter of minutes.
A prize of $1,000 is being awarded to the Bryant University marketing department in recognition of the students’ and Professor Murray’s efforts. The students and Bryant University will be recognized at the formal INTERLINK opening events.
Jef Nickerson
Justin Andrews, Jameson (Jack) Antonowicz, Jacquelyn Parr, Pat Sargent, Brittany Beckerman, Mara Chapin and Hillary Smith are to be congratulated. The Interlink will be a big deal when it is up and running. But many challenges lie ahead, not the least of which is getting train service from Providence to it. Right now, the plans call for one or two MBTA trains per day going from the station to Boston early in the morning and returning after 6:00 p.m. No useful service to the station. Where’s the link here?
We all need to keep pulling together to get funding for the trains to operate and to get Amtrak service to the Interlink. Join me in my campaign for Mayor of Warwick to get the Interlink actually working.
Google langseth for mayor.
Why not establish an airport shuttle and leave the commuting to the MBTA during peak times.
Even if a single old Budd RDC car were used to go back and forth between the Providence and Warwick stations, at 50 mph the 8 ½ mile trip would take about 10 minutes. A schedule could be set at reasonable half-hour intervals leaving from each station.
As an example, to give full coverage to the airport’s flight schedule, service could be offered from 4:00 am to 1:00 am daily. The 21 hour service schedule would be roughly three work shifts per day, so 5 or 6 train operators would be needed for 7-day service.
Maybe such a rail car could be remodeled with bench seats facing each other and areas for luggage situated near doorways to better to accommodate travelers. Since the trip is so short that kind of seat configuration would allow for standees to maximize passenger capacity.
As to not compete with the MBTA commuter service, the fare for the shuttle could be slightly higher than the fare for MBTA commuters traveling from Warwick to Providence.
There’s an old Budd RDC car on Aquidneck Island not yet in service. Maybe another Budd car could be found for the airport shuttle.
Let’s allow this baby to nurture. My guess is it will be a great sucess.Amtrak is always late to weigh in on what could be its quickest stop. We must turn to the French on this one; don’t let this baby faulter. this project is unique in our country….realize that! Don’t be so Rhode Island Negative,you all need a course in Positive Thinking.
I think Peter’s comment was more constructive than negative. Certainly he wants to see it succeed. Richard’s seemed to be more of a campaign ad. I always take those with a grain of salt.