Governor Donald L. Carcieri, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), along with dignitaries and guests, boarded a special Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail train today and took a ceremonial ride from the Providence Train Station to the new commuter rail stop at T.F. Green in Warwick. Full commuter service to this new station began this morning at 6:01.
“Improving our state's transportation system has continued to be a priority for my administration, and today is a historic day for intermodal transportation in Rhode Island,” said Governor Carcieri. “Linking train, air and auto vastly improves our ability to move people, goods, and services. We have created a 21st century transportation system and a model for the nation.”
The event train was greeted at T.F. Green station by the Pilgrim High School Marching Band along with waving flags and applauding spectators. After a transportation who’s who speaking program including Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff, MBTA General Manager and MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Richard A. Davey, RIDOT Director Michael Lewis, and RIAC President and CEO Kevin Dillon, the train headed back to Providence.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, RI House of Representatives Speaker Gordon Fox, RI Senate President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed, Governor-Elect Lincoln Chafee and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian.
“Bringing commuter rail down to Warwick was truly a team effort, involving not just the men and women of RIDOT, but Amtrak, MBTA, and the Providence and Worcester Railroad. Everyone was integral in making this happen,” said RIDOT’s Director Lewis.
Trains will make six stops Monday through Friday on the Providence/Stoughton line to T.F. Green.
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
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: at www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=PROVSTOU. Fare information can be found at www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/rail.
“We can all be proud of yet another piece of infrastructure that will significantly enhance the airport, encourage economic development and deliver environmental benefits to the community and the state,” stated Kevin Dillon, President & CEO, Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “Having one of the closest rail-to-airport connections in the country will serve us well in marketing Green to domestic and international carriers while delivering improved customer service.”
The T.F. Green station is part of the $267 million InterLink project for RIDOT and RIAC. The InterLink features a consolidated rental car facility, a bus hub for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) buses, and a parking garage with spaces to accommodate 1,800 rental cars and 650 commuter vehicles.
Commuters wishing to park at the InterLink garage will have a daily parking rate of $6.75. A monthly commuter parking rate will be offered at $110 per month. Overnight parking will incur an additional charge of $30 per night. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
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Contact: Dana Alexander Nolfe 401-222-1362 x4450