Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) are reminding commuters that the "Wickford Wintertime Wednesdays" promotion, an invitation to try commuter rail service for free, begins tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23, 2013. The program runs each Wednesday through February 27, 2013.
The free fares for travel between Wickford Junction and Providence will be free all day, however tickets must be picked up each Wednesday during the promotional period before 3:30 p.m. Riders taking advantage of this promotion will receive both a ticket to Providence and return ticket to be used with any train that is convenient.
Commuter rail service, provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), features 20 stops per day at Wickford Junction Monday through Friday, with connecting service to T.F. Green Airport. The normal round-trip fare from Wickford to Providence is $6.50 and parking at the station's garage costs $4 daily. All fare and schedule information is available on the RIDOT's website at www.dot.ri.gov.
Commuters interested in participating in Wickford Wintertime Wednesdays should visit the Wickford Junction website at www.wickfordjunction.com to download a registration form. After entering the garage, bring the form and your parking ticket to the registration table located on the second floor waiting area (platform level) to receive your free round-trip ticket and validated parking. Those who are dropped off at the station, or who walk or ride their bike to Wickford Junction, can also receive the free round-trip fare to Providence.
The Wickford Junction Train Station and Garage was designed and built through a public/private partnership with RIDOT and the developers of the Wickford Junction shopping center. Centrally located on Route 102 in North Kingstown, the station provides easy on-and-off access to Route 4.
The station boasts many features and amenities to make commuting via MBTA train convenient, enjoyable and hassle-free. Some of the features include a 1,100-space parking garage; an 848-foot platform with seating and covered areas to protect travelers in inclement weather; heated restrooms and an indoor waiting area with seating; an in-station coffee and snack shop; charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles; and covered bicycle storage. All MBTA trains also offer free wireless internet service.
Wickford Wintertime Wednesdays are funded by RIDOT through partnerships with Wickford Junction, MBTA and the R.I. Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and its Commuter Resource R.I. program.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362, Ext. 4007
Directions to Wickford Junction Station, 1011 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, R.I.
• From the South: Take Route 4 North to Exit 5 (Route 102). Turn right at the end of the ramp and follow Route 102 South about a half mile. The entrance to Wickford Junction is on the left.
• From the North: Take Route 4 South to Exit 5A (Route 102). Follow 0.8 of a mile to the station.