Recommendations Rhode Island Transit Master Plan - Adopted by the State Planning Council on December 10, 2020 - Transit Forward RI 2040
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Rhode Island Transit Master Plan
Recommendations
December 2020
Adopted by the State Planning Council on December 10, 2020
Acknowledgments Transit Forward RI presents a program to enhance and further develop Rhode Island's passenger transportation network to better meet the near- and long-term mobility needs of our state's residents, workers and visitors. The project is a collaboration between the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), and the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Scott Avedisian Chief Executive Officer Rhode Island Department of Transportation Peter Alviti, Jr., P.E. Director Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning Meredith Brady Associate Director for Planning Project Manager Sarah Ingle Director, Long Range Planning Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Title VI Notice to Beneficiaries The Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning (RIDSP) operates its programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administrated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or both that prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. These protected categories are contemplated within RIDSP’s Title VI Program consistent with federal interpretation and administration. Additionally, the RIDSP provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with US Department of Transportation (USDOT) policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166. Disclaimer The preparation and publication of this document were financed in part by funds provided by the USDOT, FHWA, and FTA. The provision of Federal financial assistance should not be construed as denoting U.S. Government approval of plans, policies, programs or projects contained herein.
Table of Contents P Preface...............................................................................i 1 Introduction .....................................................................1 2 Recommendations at a Glance ......................................3 3 Why and Where Transit Needs to Improve .................7 4 Initiative 1: Improve Existing Services .........................11 5 Initiative 2: Expand Services to New Areas ...............21 6 Initiative 3: Develop High Capacity Transit ...............29 7 Initiative 4: Improve Access to Transit......................35 8 Initiative 5: Make Service Easier to Use ....................41 9 Costs and Benefits......................................................47 10 Next Steps ..................................................................55
P Preface
COVID-19 and Its Impacts on the Plan
Transit Forward RI 2040
COVID-19 and Its Impacts on the Plan
The first draft of the Transit Forward RI 2040 plan was produced in Long-Term Outlook
March 2020 just as COVID-19 stay at home orders were issued. Transit
Looking at 2021 and beyond, the economy will gradually re-open and
demand plummeted and by early April, RIPTA ridership was down by
most travel demand should return. However, there will likely be some
over 75% compared to March. It has since been increasing, but is still
changes. To the extent that some workers continue to work at home
down by approximately 50%. Providence Line ridership declined by
either full-time or part of the time, overall commuting
over 90% and is not yet recovering in the same manner as bus
ridership.
Impacts-to-Date
There have been dramatic changes in the number of people traveling
and when they travel. A lower proportion of people are traveling during
traditional peak periods and more are traveling during the midday and
early evening. Also, a high proportion of those who are now working at
home are white, have higher incomes, and work traditional nine to five
hours. Those who are still commuting are largely essential workers who
must work on site, and a high proportion are people of color with lower
incomes and who work non-traditional hours. Consequently, ridership
declines have been very different throughout the state.
Short-Term Outlook
A vaccine is now available but will take months to be widely
distributed and negative impacts of the pandemic on transit ridership
will continue until that time. In the interim, people are expected to
return to work gradually. The need to social distance will continue to
encourage many former transit riders to drive, making traffic
congestion worse. By June 2020, while transit ridership was still only
back to half of pre-pandemic levels, Rhode Island’s automobile traffic
had returned to 99% of February levels. Social distancing requirements
also mean that buses can carry only partial loads, and RIPTA has
reduced its acceptable maximum loads from 39 to 20. Consequently,
RIPTA must provide more service to carry fewer riders. Revenues will
remain down throughout the short-term, as fewer riders produce less
fare revenue.
Rhode Island Angel of Hope and Strength by Shepard Fairey
ii
Preface
levels may be lower than they otherwise would be. Still, a balanced • Much of the Frequent Transit Network will consist of light
transportation system will be essential to meeting Rhode Island’s rail and/or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines, Rapid Bus lines,
transportation needs, and transit will continue to be the second most and Transit Emphasis Corridors. Light rail, BRT lines, and
popular way for people to get to and from work. Transit improvements Transit Emphasis Corridor services will run in dedicated
will also be the most effective way to minimize increases in traffic transit lanes. All will also include transit signal priority. While
congestion, as reflected in Rhode Island’s Congestion Management Plan. the development of these lines will take many years, RIPTA
and RIDOT can begin to develop transit lanes and transit
Plan Adjustments signal priority in the short-term in the future LRT/BRT and
Rapid Bus corridors – to provide partial benefits sooner
Transit Forward RI 2040 is a plan for improvements over the next 20
and to avoid the state’s most important transit routes from
years. Over a 20-year period, the plan remains valid, and will help Rhode
becoming bogged down in worsening traffic congestion. An
Island become stronger economically and make it a better place to live,
additional short-term improvement would be the extension
work, and play. However, the implementation plan presented in Chapter
of R-Line service to Central Falls.
10 has been adjusted to move some elements forward and to move
others back. Maps presented throughout this document depict proposed • The development of light rail and BRT lines typically takes
improvements through 2040. eight to 10 years. Given this long timeframe, and in spite of
current difficulties, RIPTA should begin project development
In general:
for the first LRT/BRT line in Year 1.
• Short-term improvements should focus first on the core system
• Most commuter rail improvements had already been slated
where demand is highest. As described in Chapter 5, the plan
for the mid to long-term. The opening of the Pawtucket/
includes a significant amount of expansion to new areas, mostly to
Central Falls Station and service there should proceed in
provide service coverage to areas with moderate to low demand.
the short-term. The development of an Amtrak station at
Until the pandemic is over, demand in most of these areas will
TF Green Airport should occur following a bounce back in
remain too low to support service. While the start of service
air travel. More frequent Providence Line service between
expansion to new areas remains in the short-term, this would begin
Providence and Boston will be led by Boston’s MBTA, and
later in the period rather than sooner.
had already been slated as a long-term project.
• Many short-term improvements would be inexpensive to
• There is currently no demand for some projects such as
implement and could help draw people back to transit and should
service to special events. However, these continue to be
proceed quickly. Two examples include the use of MBTA monthly
included in the short-term in anticipation that special events
passes on Amtrak trains between Providence and Boston and app-
will restart in 2021 or 2022.
based reservations, fare payment, and vehicle tracking for Flex
service.
• The plan emphasizes more frequent service for longer hours
including the development of a Frequent Transit Network of routes
that would provide service at least every 15 minutes throughout
most of the day. This network would be developed over time.
Given current ridership demand patterns, initial frequency
improvements should focus on more frequent midday and evening
service.
iii
1 Introduction
What's This All About?
Transit Forward RI 2040 What's This All About? Rhode Island's economic health and quality of life are directly tied to the strength of its transit network. Just as RhodeWorks identified and is implementing improvements to the state road network, Transit Forward RI is designed to support corresponding improvements to the state’s transit services. These improvements are designed to enhance mobility, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage active transportation, support economic development, and make Rhode Island a better place to live, work, and play. Rhode Island begins from a strong starting point. Although demand for transit greatly exceeds what is now provided, RIPTA’s services are already much better than those in other similarly sized cities in New England, as well as larger cities such as Nashville, Kansas City, and Fort Worth. A plan of this scale will take time to implement in its entirety, but Rhode Island can – and will – begin introducing improvements in the short-term with the goal of fulfilling the plan’s vision by 2040. Many plan components are funded and poised to advance. In the short-term, among other things, riders will see faster transit services in dedicated lanes, investments in stops and regional hubs, and increased transit frequency. The plan represents the results of months of data-driven analysis, public and stakeholder outreach, and pragmatic debate among state transportation leaders. The plan is bold and ambitious, and it is vital to Rhode Island regaining its economic leadership regionally and nationally. This plan has been designed to achieve four major goals: 2
Recommendations at a Glance
2 Recommendations at a Glance
Recommendations at a Glance
Providence Metro Area Services
Statewide Services
3Transit Forward RI 2040
Recommendations at a Glance Initiative 1
Improve Existing Services
Transit Forward RI is based on five major initiatives:
A major shortcoming of existing services is that they operate infrequently and
Initiative 1 for short hours. A major focal point of the plan is to provide more frequent
service for longer hours, including the development of a Frequent Transit
Improve Existing Services Network to provide frequent services to the state’s major destinations, faster
and more frequent Providence Line service, and more.
Initiative 2 Initiative 2
Expand Services to New Areas Expand Services to New Areas
To bring service to more people, service would also be expanded to new
areas. These improvements will include new local services, new crosstown
Initiative 3
routes, new service partnerships, an Amtrak station at TF Green Airport, and
Develop High Capacity Transit new Flex service to, from, and within the Quonset Industrial Park.
Initiative 3
Initiative 4 Develop High Capacity Transit
Improve Access to Transit
The development of High Capacity Transit Services - Rapid Bus, Bus Rapid
Transit, and Light Rail - would make transit in high-demand areas much more
attractive by making it frequent, fast, and reliable.
Initiative 5
Make Service Easier to Use Initiative 4
Improve Access to Transit
Together, these initiatives will produce a great leap forward A positive transit experience includes getting to and from transit stops.
to produce a world class transit system for Providence and Transit Forward RI will provide more and better options to get to and from
Rhode Island, greatly enhancing Rhode Island's attractiveness transit comfortably and safely.
and competitiveness to employers and residents.
These initiatives are summarized here, with service maps Initiative 5
presented on the following pages. Make Service Easier to Use
RIPTA and RIDOT will adopt new technologies and methods to make service
easier to use, including easier fare payment and better integration of available
services.
4Recommendations at a Glance
Recommended Providence
RECOMMENDED SERVICES
PROVIDENCE METRO AREA
Metro Area Services
To view the map online, visit: http://transitforwardri.com
5Transit Forward RI 2040
Recommended Statewide Services
RECOMMENDED SERVICES
STATEWIDE
24X
RI
N
To view the map online, visit: http://transitforwardri.com
6Why and Where Transit Needs to Improve
3 Why and Where Transit Needs to Improve
The Demand for Transit in Rhode Island
Providence Metro Area Services
Statewide Services
7Transit Forward RI 2040
The Demand for Transit in Rhode Island
In much of Rhode Island, the demand for transit greatly exceeds what is There is Demand for Higher Quality Services
provided. This mismatch is greatest in the Providence core, but exists in
In general, RIPTA and RIDOT provide service in the areas where
many other places as well.
demand is highest and in other areas where there is sufficient
underlying demand for transit service. However, many of the higher
Demand for Service is Highest in Urban Areas demand markets remain under-served, in that there is demand for
The demand for transit is highest – by far – in the Providence metro more robust services than are currently provided. In particular, there is
area. Demand is very high in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and a clear demand for more frequent service for longer hours.
parts of North Providence, and high in East Providence, Warwick, and
Major Metro Area Corridors
much of Cranston. Transit demand in most of the rest of the Providence
metro area is moderate. Key improvements that are needed include: With the exception of the R-Line, which provides Rapid Bus service,
major corridors are currently served by local bus service. In most
Transit Needs to Be More Frequent
of these corridors, there is demand for more frequent service and/
The most important driver of transit ridership is how frequently the bus or service for longer hours. In some, there are also opportunities to
comes. At present, RIPTA defines frequent service as every 20 minutes upgrade service to Rapid Bus, BRT, or even light rail.
or better, while the more common national definition is every 15 minutes.
Using either standard, only one bus route – the R-Line – provides Areas and Corridors with High Transit Propensity in Providence
frequent service from at least 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. RIPTA needs to
provide frequent service on many more routes.
Service Needs to Operate for Longer Hours
At present, only four bus routes begin service before 5:00 AM and only
five operate until after midnight. Especially to connect people with jobs
with non-traditional hours, more service needs to operate for longer
hours.
Service Needs to be Faster
With few exceptions such as rail in dedicated rights-of-way, taking
transit will take longer than driving. However, to the extent that the
difference can be reduced, more people will choose transit. There
are a number of ways to make service faster. With the R-Line, RIPTA
made service faster by introducing Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and
consolidating stops to better balance travel times with walk times. The
Downtown Transit Connector (DTC) will provide exclusive lanes for
buses in downtown Providence. Additional options include queue jump
lanes, transit signal priority, off-board fare payment, and more.
8Why and Where Transit Needs to Improve
There is Also Demand for New Fixed-Route Transit Services Boston Commuter Demand is Very High
Outside of the Providence Metro Area While most Rhode Island residents work in Rhode Island, the highest
A number of areas around Rhode Island warrant more transit service than demand for commuter transit service is to and from Boston. This is
is currently provided, including new local bus routes, Flex services, and for a number of reasons, but two are particularly important:
regional services. 1. MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak service is faster than
Opportunities for New Transit Services in Rhode Island driving and much more reliable
2. Parking costs in Boston are very high
High levels of service (40 MBTA round trips and 38 Amtrak one-way
trips) also make these trips convenient. The proportion of Rhode
Island residents who use transit to commute to Boston ranges by
station from 47% to 76%.
While more work trips are made to Providence overall, the demand
for commuter service is much lower. This is because the factors
that make transit so attractive to Boston are not in place for trips to
Providence:
1. Transit is much slower. All express buses operate on
congested roadways, and MBTA commuter rail between
Wickford Junction and Providence runs slowly to avoid
conflicts with Amtrak trains.
2. Parking in Providence is relatively inexpensive for most, and
free for many. The proportion of Rhode Island residents
who use transit to commute to Providence, by route, is 10%
or lower, and usually less than 5%.
Better Rail Service Can Strengthen Economic Ties
with Boston
Rail ties between Rhode Island and Boston are already very good.
The MBTA runs 40 weekday round trips between Providence and
Boston and Amtrak runs 38 one-way trips. In total, there are more
trains between Boston and Providence than between Boston and
any other terminal city. Providence is also one of the highest-
ridership commuter rail stations outside of Boston and one of the
highest ridership stations in the entire Amtrak system.
However, there is still much room for improvement, and stronger
links with Boston would strengthen Rhode Island economically.
Opportunities include faster MBTA service, additional trains to fill
gaps in existing schedules, joint MBTA and Amtrak ticketing, and the
operation of more MBTA service south of Providence to Warwick/TF
Green Airport.
9Transit Forward RI 2040
Better Express Services Could Improve Proposed Regional Rapid Bus Service
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LOCAL 50 Central LINCOLN
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Airport
Mobility Hubs
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CONNECTICUT
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Better Regional Services Could Strengthen
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Economic Ties between Rhode Island’s
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10X 6 10X LOCAL PROVIDENCE LOCAL
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Parks & green spaces
Rhode Island has some of the strongest regional transit
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10Initiative 1 | Improve Existing Services
4 Initiative 1: Improve Existing Services
Local Bus, Express Bus, and Flex Services
Rail Service to and from Boston
11Transit Forward RI 2040
Initiative 1
Improve Existing Services
A fundamental starting point for Transit Forward RI will be to improve existing
services. Existing services will be improved in a number of different ways:
Local Bus, Express Bus, and Flex Service
• Development of a Frequent Transit Network
• More frequent serice for longer hours
• Transit Priority to make service faster
• More frequent and faster express bus service
• Flex service improvements
Rail to and from Boston
• Faster service
• More frequent service
12Initiative 1 | Improve Existing Services
A Frequent Transit Network Will Make It Easy to Get to Rhode Island's Most Popular Destinations
The most important way to improve transit service is to make it Frequent Transit Network 50
LOCAL
LOCAL
Lincoln Woods
State Park N6
South
Attleboro
Station
Market
Basket
75
frequent. Frequent transit is typically defined as services that operates
Broad
CCRI 73
Blackstone River
Bradley St
CCRI Lincoln 51
St
Old
54 N12 Benefit St
Smithfield Ave
Park n’ Ride N12 Benefit St
Lonsdale Ave
LOCAL
CENTRAL
L ou
LOCAL
Stop
every 15 minutes or less. Frequent transit allows riders to use services
N117 35
isq
& Shop
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Broad St
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ive 73 Pond
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295 76
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ay
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Broadw
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ike
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72 t Pawtucket/
St
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73 72 N6 Cro
75 Station
Tolman
51 Price HS
Blvd
Do
Roosevelt
Rite ice
SMITHFIELD LINCOLN 54 Armist
Ten Mi
George Bennett Hwy
ug
another. Networks of frequent transit allow for short, convenient
Armist
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76 t St
t
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246 146 PAWTUCKET 80
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Smithfield 76
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Summit
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Crossing
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g Av73
transfers, which greatly expand the reach of travel by transit in a
Esmond St
George St
Ma
l Sprin
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50
vation
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St
NORTH Memorial
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Grace St
Ma
73 Slater
9X 44
Putnam Pike
58
PROVIDENCE 73 N10
Park n’ Ride
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shorter amount of time.
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The Frequent Transit Network would consist of a total of 19 routes with
58 ithfi RI N12 Narragansett Central
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LOCAL
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St
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t St 14 BRT; 10-minute frequency for most of the day
CRANSTON
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Post Rd
66 X Rapid Bus; 10-minute frequency for most of the day
Pontiac Ave
on
Mayfield Ave 65X Airport Rd X Extension of Rapid Bus service; half as much service
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LOCAL
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95X XX Every 15-minutes peak or most of the day
wL
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XX
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13 30 3 XX Every 30-minutes peak or most of the day.
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REGIONAL
13 Centerville Rd Centerville Rd
29
REGIONAL
Post Rd Long Ferry
Kent County Route 117 St
nwoo
Park n’ Ride Parks & green spaces
YMCA 4 Education
Ginsu Way
ds Av
Barton Ave
ll Rd
Kent Count Courthouse Warwick Government Buildings
Pawtuxet River
Diamond Hill Rd
City Park
e
Bald Hi
Main St
Quaker Ln
14 Healthcare Water
66
65X 3 Recreation
Pos
Railroads
Cowesett Corners
95X Suburban Pkwy
t Rd
Cowesett Rd Stop & Shop Cowesett Ave Shopping Ferry Routes
29 Greenwich Bay
242 W Warwick/ Coventry Flex
95
13Transit Forward RI 2040
More Frequent Service for Longer Hours Will Make it Much Easier to Travel by Transit
In addition to the Frequent Transit Network, more frequent service for longer hours would also be provided on nearly all other routes – changes
designed to make service more convenient and to better match service levels with demand. All routes would be classified according to one of the
route classifications shown below. Nearly all routes would operate more frequently and for longer hours. Equally important, far fewer routes would
operate infrequently.
Changes in Service Frequencies (Number of Routes)
Route Type Today Recommended
Light Rail, BRT, and Rapid Bus (Every 10 Minutes) 1 9
Regional Rapid Bus 0 4
Frequent Local (Every 15 Minutes) 4 10
Local (Every 16 to 30 Minutes) 19 32
Local (Every 31 to 60 Minutes) 15 0
Local (Less frequent than every 60 Minutes) 7 0
Express 8 7
Flex Zones 7 8
TOTAL 61 68
Earlier and later service will also be provided to serve a greater range of work hours as well as more flexibility for other types of trips.
Changes in Service Spans (Number of Routes)
Number of Routes Today Recommended
Service Before 6 AM 22 23
Service After 10 PM 22 32
Service After Midnight 5 19
TOTAL 49 74
14ug
Sc
os
Ave
PAWTUCKET
la s
ve
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Main
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ho
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M in e r Initiative 1 | Improve Existing Services
ke
St
St
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Smithfield Ave
uc
95
wt
Transit Emphasis Corridors and Transit Priority Will Make Transit Faster35
N117 Narragansett
Pa
Park Plaza
ve
Beverage Hill Rd
Canad
E as t A
Sm RI
Upper
ithfi Aside from more frequent service, the other improvement that passengers want the most is faster service. High-capacity transit lines Narragansett
would Central
C h ar le
el d 146 Business Park Pond
a Pon
ma operate
Rd at least partially in dedicated lanes free from traffic delays, and Rapid Bus and Regional Rapid Bus routes would operate with queue jump
High Service Ave
P aw
tal Job 35
s St
lanes, transit signal priority, and bus on shoulder use that would Lot minimize traffic-related delays. There would also be:
d
tuc
Shaw’s
Smithfield Ave 7th St
t
ke t
BrancCorridor (TEC) between Olneyville
gS
• An east-west Transit Emphasis Do Square and East Providence. RUMFORD
This TEC would be similar to the Downtown
Newport Ave
h Ave ug
p r in
Ave
Peter Pan
Transit Corridor (DTC) and would use Broadway through Federal Hill, Angell and Waterman Streets on College Hill, and the Henderson
Gentian Ave
la s
Ad Save-A-Lot North Burial Miriam PROVIDENCE
er S
Bridge and Henderson m ir Expressway in East Providence.
Av
Ground Hospital
t al S RI e
Silv
• Transit priority at traffic t 146 Charlesat key locations
chokepoints N Main Stthroughout Rhode Island as part of roadway improvement Wannamoisett projects.
River Ave
Bra Park n’ Ride Rochambeau Ave Country Club
St P n’ R
n ch
Walmart Ave
P aw
East-West Transit Emphasis Corridor and Associated Services
Elmgrove Ave
Seekonk Rive
ve
Providence
nA
St
B la c k s
tuc
College Rd 44 Ad
St
College 95 Butler
Mount Pleasant Ave
m ir
ls o
n St
C amp
Oakland Ave
ke t
Hospital
Hop e
Sm al S
Wi
La Salle i t
N M ai
Av e
Do
t
tone B
Academy hS
t
ug
e Island College
r
la s
Mt. Pleasant Doyle St 40
Av
lvd
Whole N117
Ro
e
High School Roger Williams Foods Blackstone
ge
Medical Center 35
rW
Hope HS Park
ve
illi
Chalkstone Ave t o y d A WAYLAND
am
S Ll
B u t le r
Or ms
Thayer
y
SQUARE s oi t
ad w a
sA
St Francis St
Sisson St Henderson ssa
ve
a
ve
Park n’ Ride EAGLE VA Medical Angell St Bridge M
cket A
LOCAL
32 35
N Bro
SQUARE Center Brown
24X
St
95 RISD 33 35Hen Wampanoag Hunts
der
le y
40 61X Mills
ss r
32 Plaza/
Ma nt D
s
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Pawtu
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as
Ave
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10 Park-n-Ride
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nt
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at
on
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FOX
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W
DOWNTOWN
dge
Av
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ai n
FEDERAL POINT 32 nton Ave
e
PROVIDENCE Eastside
St
HILL
ri
27 Wickenden St Tau
Dyer St ce
Wa y
Glenb
ay Marketplace
w
o a d Taunton Ave E Providence
EAST
SW
H ar t f o Br 27 Shaw’s
High School
e r c i al
Do
Wa
at
rd Av N117 t PROVIDENC
er
rra
e LOCAL
t E Prov er m
St
nt S
n
Westminster St Govt Ctr an
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P o i Newport Ferry A ve
34
HS
t
Olneyville Square 195 24X 61X RI
dS
l
HS ica
114 A
oa
ral ss
y St
nt Cla
Br
Chapin Ave
PROVIDENCE Wa r r e C oun t
d w ay
N117 n Ave
e
Ce
Av
Ellery St
Blackstone St Rhode Island Hospital
t
33 34
nS
S Broa
DHS
et
s to
ss
A ve
ca
n
Elmwood Ave
Vete
i o Metacomet Evergreen
an
Un
Po
RI
Cr
ve
Pro
Pot St Joseph CCRI Golf Course 32
114
Apts 24X
Hi
ra
cke t A
vid
Liston
gh
t er Hospital
ns
Eddy St
enc
s
la n
Hu Me
ntin Ave
Laurel Hill
Allens
Dyer Ave
mo
dA
eR
ve M a r t in
P aw t u
g to r s A r i al 195
ve Mink St
e
ive
nA Pot t Pk w St
St
61X
r
ve e
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on
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er s A
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Garfield
T hur b Armington
ll R
ns t
on Print
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ive
Corner RI
Cr a
Br
t
s Pond
rA
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er
oa
Chestnut 95 32 Lifespan Medical 114 A 34
an
v
dS
Alvarez
e
Hill Ave
sM
tt Office
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t
Brewery Parkade High School
em
N ar r a
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Stop & Shop
or
Colony 33
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Wampanoag Trail
Pk
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wy
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rnTransit Forward RI 2040
Better Express Bus Service Will Improve Commutes
At present, service on some express routes is very limited, with only one Proposed Express Bus on Shoulder Operations
or two trips in each direction. Three types of express bus improvements
would be made:
• More frequent service: At present, service on some express routes
is very limited, with only one or two trips in each direction. Service
on all routes would be increased to at least four AM inbound and
four PM outbound trips.
• The use of commuter coaches to provide more comfortable
service.
• Bus on Shoulder service: Bus on shoulder service would be
implemented on Regional Rapid Bus and express routes, in cases
where only moderate roadway changes (such as changes to
signing and striping) would be needed.
Commuter Coach Bus in New York City
16Initiative 1 | Improve Existing Services
Flex Service Improvements Will Improve Service to the Suburbs and Lower-Density Areas
RIPTA’s Flex services currently require prior day advance reservations by phone and sometimes deny rides because the service is full. To improve
service, the following improvements would be added to RIPTA’s existing phone-based system:
• App-based same-day/on-demand booking
• App-based fare payment
• App-based vehicle tracking
In addition, and as required, the capacity of the existing services would be increased to accomodate all demand.
17Transit Forward RI 2040 More Frequent Commuter Rail Service Will Serve a Greater Range of Trips In Spring 2019, the Rhode Island Governor's Office and RIDOT began discussions with their Massachusetts counterparts on ways to enhance and shorten the trip time between Providence and Boston. Concepts ranging from cross-honoring MBTA commuter rail passes on Amtrak trains to pilot/demonstration services to full electrification on the Providence Line continue to be investigated by both states. In addition, RIDOT remains very active with Massachusetts on efforts to improve commuter rail service overall through Rail Vision and the Northeast Corridor Commission. In November 2019, the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) passed a number of resolutions related to commuter rail improvements, including the Providence Line. The MBTA envisions a commuter rail system that will be more similar to rapid transit and will include the following features: • All-day frequent service • Electrified service that uses Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) railcars • High level platforms and all-door boarding and alighting The MBTA FMCB identified the Providence lines as one of the first three lines for these improvements (although a schedule has not yet been set). A key element will be that service between Providence and Boston would operate more frequently, which would be major improvement from today’s service levels. South of Providence, where service levels will be determined by Rhode Island and demand is significantly lower, service to TF Green would be improved to 20 round trips on weekdays, nine on Saturdays, and seven on Sundays. To and from Wickford Junction, where demand and ridership are fairly low, service will be maintained at 10 round trips per weekday. In addition, cross-honored fares with Amtrak will be implemented to provide access to select Amtrak trains, which will provide additional service. This is described in more detail below in the fare integration section. 18
Initiative 1 | Improve Existing Services
Faster Commuter Rail Service Will Reduce Travel Times
The planned improvements will also include elements to make service faster. These details also need to be worked out, but important
improvements could include:
• High-level platforms at all Massachusetts stations will significantly reduce dwell time at stations
• The use of electrified trains will reduce acceleration times
Cross-Honored Fares with Amtrak will Fill Gaps in Service and Provide Access to Faster Service
RIDOT is planning to implement a cross-honor fare agreement with Amtrak that will provide the ability for Providence Line passholders to ride
select Amtrak trains. This will provide more frequent service to passholders as well as access to faster and more comfortable trains, and fill gaps in
off-peak service.
19Initiative 2 | Expand Service to New Areas
5 Initiative 2: Expand Service to New Areas
Local Fixed Route Service to New Areas
New Crosstown Routes
Wickford/Quonset Flex Service
Amtrak Service to TF Green Airport
Network of Mobility Hubs
Expanded Seasonal/Special Event Services
Service Partnership Program
21Transit Forward RI 2040
Initiative 2
Expand Service to New Areas
Transit Forward RI will provide a vareity of new services:
• Bus services to new areas
• New crosstown bus routes
• Wickford/Quonset Flex service
• Network of mobility hubs
• Amtrak station at TF Green Airport
• Expanded seasonal and special event services
• A Service Partnership program to encourage public-
private partnerships to expand transit service
22Initiative 2 | Expand Service to New Areas
New Local Fixed-Route Services Will Bring Transit to More People
New local fixed-route services would be developed in areas where there is moderate to high demand, but are currently either unserved or
underserved.
These routes would be:
• Providence
• N7 Valley Street
• Woonsocket
• N16 Bellingham-Manville
• Newport
• N18 Hillside/Valley
• N20 Newport-Narragansett
• Narragansett
• N20 Newport-Narragansett
• Westerly
• N19 Westerly-Bradford
• New crosstown routes in the Providence Metro Area (see following page)
Woonsocket Newport Westerly
23Transit Forward RI 2040 New Crosstown Services Will Make Non-Downtown Trips Faster Most of RIPTA’s services operate to and from downtown Proposed Crosstown Routes Providence, while large numbers of people make “crosstown” trips to other places. A major impediment to providing more crosstown service is that few crosstown roads exist in the Providence Metro Area. Still, a number of opportunities exist, and four new crosstown routes are recommended: • N9 VA Hospital - Eddy Street via Dean Street • N10 Mineral Spring Ave • N11 Cranston/Park Ave • N13 Olneyville Square - Eddy Street In addition, Route 58 Branch Ave would be converted to a crosstown route and Route 29 Kent County would continue to provide crosstown service across Warwick. Crosstown service would also be improved through the development of mobility hubs and more frequent service for longer hours at those locations. 24
Initiative 2 | Expand Service to New Areas
Wickford/Quonset Flex Service Will Improve Amtrak Service to TF Green Airport Will
Service to an Important Job Site Improve Interstate Connections
New Flex service would be developed in Wickford and the Quonset The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently awarded
Industrial Park to enhance employee access to Quonset. The new service a grant to RIDOT to undertake preliminary engineering and
would provide connections between Regional Rapid Bus services and environmental review for the development of an Amtrak stop at
commuter rail. TF Green Airport. Based on a favorable outcome of this phase,
funding for construction, and the agreement of Amtrak, some
With longer spans of service on regional bus routes, connections would
or all Northeast Regional trains would stop at TF Green Station,
be available to Quonset for long hours from Providence, South County,
providing one of the closest air to intercity rail connections in the
Newport, and points in between.
country.
25Transit Forward RI 2040
A Network of Mobility Hubs Will Improve Connections Throughout Rhode Island
Mobility hubs are sites where multimodal
transportation options, information resources,
placemaking features, and traveler amenities
are brought together in a well-designed,
publicly accessible space to support a variety of
different types of trips.
Transit Forward RI will develop a network of
mobility hubs throughout the state. They will be
the first point of entry into the regional public
transportation network for many travelers, and
connecting points for others. They will provide
an enjoyable user experience and build a strong
relationship between the community and
transportation providers.
Mobility hubs vary in size and function based on
the types of options available and volumes:
• Large regional mobility hubs such as
Kennedy Plaza, Providence Station, and the
Newport Visitors Center typically include
services and amenities such as indoor
shelter, restrooms, bicycle facilities, and
staffed or technology-enhanced information
kiosks. Regional mobility hubs are located
at the ends of major transit lines and in
downtowns and major regional activity
centers.
• Smaller community mobility hubs that
provide mobility services for their immediate
surrounding neighborhoods are generally
located in village centers and other activity
centers in lower density suburban areas.
Community mobility hubs typically include
bus stops, outdoor shelters, real-time
signage, bike/car share, and park and ride
lots.
26Initiative 2 | Expand Service to New Areas
Community and Regional Mobility Hubs t
St
l S N6 Price Rite
ocia LEGEND
Main
Woonsocket Municipal SREGIONAL N16 Pine
RI Swam
Park n’ Ride 54 87 p Rd
Zambarano 146 t Landmark
Memorial Hospital Sm Fairmount St nS
D
n to Medical Ctr
ou
ith 87 Cli Transit Services
fie
gla
BURRILLVILLE SLATERSVILLE ld WOON- N6
s
Rd CVS
Tu
SOCKET y X Light Rail; 10-minute frequency for most of day
r
le H w
np
n St
W hipp
ik
Park n’ Ride
x
Nate
Fle
e
There will be nine regional mobility hubs and at least one
NS X BRT; 10-minute frequency for most of day
S Mai
eF /
lex
le
mit
vill oag
Rehabilitation Hospital
vil
hfi
rs
ters asc
eld X
te
Rapid Bus; 10-minute frequency for most of day
MASSACHUSETTS
CUMBERLAND
Sla
Walmart
Sla82 P
East Ave scoa
g/ NORTH SMITHFIELD Ex
py
RHODE ISLAND
2 Pa LOCAL
2
28
XX Every 15-minutes peak or most of day
community mobility hub in each community.
North Smithfield
Park n’ Ride N16 XX
282 Pascoag/ MANVILLE Every 20-minute during peak periods
y
PASCOAG LOCAL
Hw
Slaterville Flex
295 XX Every 30-minutes peak for most of day
tory
y
LOCAL
D
d
Hw
ou
R
XX Every 60-minutes throughout day
Vic
Lincoln Mall Amica
ll
gla
N6
ge
os
Pascoag Park n’ Ride LOCAL
s
75
An
nc
Pik
Park n’ Ride Lincoln Mall
Regional Mobility Hubs
9X XX Regional Rapid Bus; at least every 30 mins peak
Bro
e
Fidelity George Washington Hwy
54 N6 XX Express Bus
LOCAL
RI 75
44 Bryant 75
146
MBTA Commuter Rail
University 295 Stop & Shop 71
North XX New Flex Service
• Providence/Kennedy Plaza • Woonsocket/Downtown
LOCAL CHEPACHET 50 Central LINCOLN
Broa
SMITHFIELD
Airport
Mobility Hubs
Lonsdale Ave
d St
CONNECTICUT
RHODE ISLAND
9X
GLOCESTER
REGIONAL LOCAL
Intermodal connectivity hubs with direct access
D
LOCAL
• Providence/Providence • Warwick/TF Green Airport
to the RI transit network. Regional and Local.
ou
CENTRAL
dway
44
gla
Pu FALLS
tna
s
54 Note: There would be local mobility hubs in each community.
Pik
m
Broa
Pik Greenville
e
However, these are not shwon on the map as specific
Station
e
Shopping Center
Wa
locations have not yet been determined.
• North Kingstown/Wickford
term
NORTH
Transit Center
an
Rt 44/ Putnam Pike PROVIDENCE 95 Interstate Highway
W Greenville Rd
Av
Ave
Park n’ Ride LOCAL
• Providence/Jewelry District Junction
9X
e
PAWTUCKET
Park-n-Ride
East
JOHNSTON Sm 54 6 US Highway
Snake Den ith
St
Train Station
State Park
Airport RI
• Pawtucket/Central Falls • University of Rhode Island LOCAL Hartford Pike
Chopmist Hill
Park n’ Ride
10X 6
Hartford Ave
10X LOCAL
10X
9X
PROVIDENCE
LOCAL
LOCAL
LOCAL
Ferry
146 RI Highway
Parks & green spaces
LOCAL Education
Ch
• Newport Visitors Center
East
Buildings
op
Seekonk Government
mis
6 N15
Rd
Square
tH
Mall
Healthcare Water
ill R
FOSTER
Plainfield Pike
d
Recreation Railroads
SCITUATE ke
Community Mobility Hubs
ield Pi
Plainf Shopping Ferry Routes
e
LOCAL
Av
Roger
Tu Williams
ir
n
vo
kH ParkLOCAL
Scituate
er
ill R 66 EAST 24X
es
LOCAL
d Reservoir
R
14 PROVIDENCE
• Barrington • Middletown
Elmwood Ave
CRANSTON
White Church
ve
te A Park n’ Ride
tua
Sci LOCAL
• Bristol • Narragansett
Police Cove
Park n’ Ride
61X
WARWICK WARREN
N
60
M
REGIONAL
County Rd
ain
TF Green Airport LOCAL
Child St
War wi
St
BARRINGTON
• Burrillville • New Shoreham
Warren Park n’ Ride
North Rd
WEST 14
WARWICK Franklin St
ck Av
LOCAL
Main St
66
e
242 W Warwick/
• Central Falls
Flat River Rd Coventry Flex
Metac
• North Kingstown/
MA
Centerville Rd RI
St
114
SS
in N14
RH
Ma
om Av
AC
Flat River Rd
OD
LOCAL
Gooding Ave
HU
Quonset Gateway
E
Park n’ Ride
3
SE
e
IS
See Providence Metro Map
• Charlestown
COVENTRY ve
LA
eA
TT
BRISTOL
gu
ND
Ha Tio N14
S
rkn Stop & Shop 60 61X
ey 13 GREENWICH VFW
Hil Colt
Post Rd
Hall at Hope
lR WARWICK BAY State Park Park n’ Ride
Hope
• North Providence
d
e
NARRAGANSETT BAY LOCAL
Av
LOCAL
95 RI
• College Hill
Division St
om
95X Goddard
138
St
rry
State Park
tac
LOCAL
MOUNT
Fe
West Greenwich East Greenwich
14
Me
Fish Rd
HOPE
Ferry
Park n’ Ride Park n’ Ride
65X
nd
Roger Williams Park n’ Ride
St
BAY
Isla
University
• North Smithfield
66
ain
RI
Rd
61X
M
• Coventry
nce
Mt Hope LOCAL
24
r Expy
de
Bridge ve
Fall Ri 61X
Vic
Pru
Prudence Island
Post Rd
LOCAL
EAST GREENWICH Airport 24X
tory
Big River
Bristol Ferry Rd
LOCAL
Mt. Hope Bridge
• Portsmouth
Hw
Park n’ Ride Portsmouth
Rd
• Cranston/Knightsville
y
Park n’ Ride
Beach Pond Rt 2 & Rt 4 24X
k Hill
State Park
RI
95 RI
Park n’ Ride
NORTH
TIVERTON
Hw y
KINGSTOWN
enec
102 4 PRUDENCE
ISLAND
RI
• Providence/Olneyville
dman
Noos
LOCAL
WEST GREENWICH 65X 177
• Cranston/Pawtuxet
N289: Wickford/ 60 60
Col Ro
LOCAL
66 Quonset Quonset
E Main Rd
Quonset Airport
ain Rd
REGIONAL 14 Martha’s Vineyard
Business
• Richmond
Fast Ferry
95X Wickford Junction Park
• Cumberland
WM
Park n’ Ride Weetamoo
Woods
Main Rd
RI RI Ten Rod Rd Wickford WICKFORD
Junction RI RI
165 102 Victory Hwy Station Phillips St 114 138
• Scituate
PORTSMOUTH
Co
• East Greenwich
lR
Union St
24X
od
66
ma
60
Bo
ain Rd
EXETER
nH
n Rd
CONANICUT
sto
95
wy
ISLAND Oxbow Apts
• Smithfield/Bryant
nN
E Mai
• East Providence
63
WM
ec
Stop & Shop
Sp
kR
rin
1 60
d
University
gS
14
RI Jamestown Bridge
t
Gate 17 Middletown
138 14
LOCAL Park n’ Ride
• Wampanoag Plaza
HOPE NORTH LOCAL
VALLEY RI KINGSTOWN
Conanicus Ave
Rt 1A & Rt 138
MIDDLETOWN
2 Park n’ Ride
• Tiverton
North Rd
LOCAL
Stop & Shop 63 N18
LOCAL
65X
HOPKINTON Kin RI Green End Ave
gs
tow 64 138 64 N20
• Exeter
Wyoming/Richmond nR UNIVERSITY OF
WM
N20
RHODE ISLAND
CONNECTICUT
Park n’ Ride d RHODE ISLAND
14 REGIONAL
St George’s
RI School
Rd
• Warren
Narragansett Ave
ain Rd
138 sfield
TO MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Wood 64 64
oore
REGIONAL
Richmond JAMESTOWN
River RI M
Boston Neck Rd
Health
Airport 63
West Kingston Rt 1 & Rt 138 N18
Carolina Park n’ Ride 64 138 URI Bay
• Foster
Park n’ Ride
RICHMOND 66 Campus
95X 211 UR
I Flex Fort Adams 67
Schneider Kingston
Electric 66 SOUTH
• Warwick/Arctic
Station KINGSTOWN
Kin
Harrison Ave
il
gs
a
Tr
N20 NEWPORT
• Glocester
tow
ND
1
y
nt
95
nR
ou
LA
LOCAL
C
Great
Ministerial Rd
K IS
d
LOCAL
• Warwick/CCRI
h
Swamp
ut
Wakefield Mall 65X
So
Ashaway/Hopkinton
C
Park n’ Ride
Park n’ Ride
LO
LOCAL
• Hopkinton
B
TO
RI Worden St
2 Pond South County Main
HOPKINTON
• Westerly
Narragansett
Main Street
Hospital
1 High School
South County Trail
Stop & Shop N20
• Jamestown
S Pier Rd
SOUTH
Point Judith Rd
ASHAWAY
Rd
KINGSTOWN NARRAGANSETT
• West Greenwich
CHARLESTOWN
Post
A
N19 shaw
ay 1
• Johnston
Rd Commodore Perry Hwy
Burn
LOCAL side
BRADFORD Ave
LOCAL
Scarborough
Westerly Station Beach
Burlingame Rd Know
WESTERLY st lesw
Po
• Lincoln
ay
Aldi 66
Westerly Walmart Sand
Hospital N19 1 Hill Co
TO BLOCK ISLAND
Stop & Shop ve Rd
ND
Westerly Airport Roger Wheeler
State Beach
LA
• Little Compton
K IS
C
B LO
TO
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