Jef Nickerson
Photo (cc) Mr. Ducke
It is not a trick, RIDOT issued a press release and everything. Commuter Rail service to T.F. Green starts on December 6th.
Trains will depart from T.F. Green, inbound to Providence/South Station, at the following times:
- 6:13 a.m.; 6:52 a.m.; 7:15 a.m. – To Providence and South Station
- 6:27 p.m.; 7:36 p.m.; 7:51 p.m. – To Providence only, change train at 8:12 p.m. to continue to South Station
Trains will arrive at T.F. Green, outbound from Providence/South Station, at the following times:
- 6:01 a.m.; 6:25 a.m. – Arriving from Providence only
- 6:17 p.m.; 6:53 p.m.; 7:26 p.m. – Arriving from South Station and Providence
The one-way fare between Providence and the airport it only $0.25 more than it costs to take the bus.
Ticket fares will vary by distance traveled. Travel between T.F. Green and Providence constitutes travel in two zones and costs $2.25 each way. Travel between T.F. Green and Boston costs $8.25 each way. Seniors and persons with disabilities get 50 percent off. Children age 11 and younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Monthly passes for unlimited travel between Providence and T.F. Green cost $77. Monthly passes for unlimited travel between T.F. Green and Boston cost $265, which also includes travel on all MBTA buses and subways and the Inner Harbor Ferry.
Schedule information can be found on the MBTA website. Fare information can be found at here.
Any feedback on the service so far? There’s nothing online that I can see. I looked into taking the train to the airport for a weekday mid-morning flight. The only AM trains are at 5:41 and 6:00, and there are no more trains for 12 hours. I know they’re taking baby steps, but I cannot imagine the practicality of this type of schedule. At least we have some service, though. Hopefully they expand it soon.
See the comment I made on this issue:
http://www.gcpvd.org/2010/06/18/t-f-green-interlink/
June 19, 2010 3:15 p.m.
There is an unused operable piece of equipment on Aquidneck Island that could be used for interim service. Maybe RIAC would be interested in operating or partially paying for a train shuttle in combination with RIDOT and the MBTA?
PBN has an article about the TF Green MBTA train service falling short of daily projections by 137 (100 vs 237). Again, hard to attract riders when your last AM train leaves for the airport at 6:00 and the next train is 12 hours later.
http://www.pbn.com/Commuters-arent-flocking-to-TF-Green-service,56984
The AP article that the PBN story links to gives me a glimmer of hope that improved service is on the horizon.
It is also hard to attract riders when your only means of marketing consists of negative stories in the mainstream press.
Better service times in conjunction with the Wickford Junction station opening will help. Also, Kent County bus services need to be assessed to see how best to balance the needs of moving people about Kent County, moving people from Kent County into Providence (and vice-versa), and moving people from their homes in Kent County to the train station.
RIPTA and RIDOT did almost zero coordinated planning ahead of the station opening. I think blame for that can be shared.
It is perhaps also worth noting that service to the Interlink is provided by RIPTA only during early and late rush hours as well.
What I have learned on a recent trip is that (likely due to the vast seas of parking that is relatively inexpensive), the links between RIPTA, the Interlink, and the Airport are really not done well, and I’m not sure what consumers they are trying to serve.
Article in The Warwick Beacon about TF Green Airport train service.
http://www.warwickonline.com/view/full_story_news/12790889/article-Service-is-ticket-to-train-traffic?instance=secondary_stories_left_column