Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) are reminding commuters that this is the last week of the free wintertime parking promotion at the parking garages at Rhode Island's commuter rail stations in Warwick and North Kingstown.
Since the severe blizzard that impacted Rhode Island in early February, and a series of other winter storms that made commuting into Providence difficult, parking at the Interlink at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick and at Wickford Junction Station in North Kingstown has been free. The parking promotion ends on Friday, March 29, 2013.
Commuters taking advantage of the free parking will receive validated tickets allowing them to exit the parking garages at T.F. Green and Wickford at no charge. Fares from Warwick and Wickford to Providence are $3 and $3.25, respectively, each way. Fares from these stations to Boston's South Station cost $10.50 and $11, respectively. Full schedule and fare information can be found on RIDOT's website at www.dot.ri.gov.
Commuter rail service, provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), features 20 stops per day at T.F. Green and Wickford Junction stations Monday through Friday. Normally, parking at T.F. Green costs $6.75 each day and parking at Wickford Junction costs $4 daily. T.F. Green does charge a surcharge of $30 for parking beyond 24 hours. This fee will not be waived as part of the wintertime free parking.
Both stations feature heated waiting areas close to the train platforms, and Wickford Station includes an in-station coffee and snack shop. Both stations feature charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles and covered bicycle storage. All MBTA trains also offer free wireless internet service.