Happening Now
Archive -- Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers Event - Wickford Jct.
Date
Monday, July 10, 2017 9:00 AM Monday, July 10, 2017 11:00 AM
Location
RIDOT is sponsoring an event at the MBTA Wickford Jct, RI Train Station on Monday, July 10 at 9:00 to publicize the start of free train service from Wickford Jct. and Hillsgrove to Providence, RI for the next several months.
The Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers will have a table at the event and pareticipants will answer questions about train service, not only on the MBTA, but the national service, and we have agreed to participate.
Terms of the free service: No fares will be collected for riders board at either the Wickford Jct. or Hillsgrove (Airport Station). Riders continuing on beyond Providence will pay the normal fare from Providence to their destination. There could be a problem with paying a surcharge on the train, since there is a ticket counter for the MBTA in Providence Station. I pointed this out to the RIDOT Officials, and they may have solved this problem. Currently 90% of the riders boarding at Hillsgrove are going to Massachusetts locations (primarily Boston) and 70% + of the riders boarding at Wickford Jct. are also going beyond Providence.
Parking is free at Wickford Jct. Station. You do have to pay to park at the Airport Station.
"I wish to extend my appreciation to members of the Rail Passengers Association for their steadfast advocacy to protect not only the Southwest Chief, but all rail transportation which plays such an important role in our economy and local communities. I look forward to continuing this close partnership, both with America’s rail passengers and our bipartisan group of senators, to ensure a bright future for the Southwest Chief route."
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
April 2, 2019, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his work to protect the Southwest Chief