November 23, 2016

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and the City of Providence are hosting a community meeting to provide an initial overview of plans for a high-frequency transit corridor in downtown Providence. The meeting is also intended to solicit ideas and public input on the project. The transit corridor will connect the Providence Amtrak/MBTA Station and the Hospital District with high-frequency bus service. The meeting will be held from 5:00pm to 6:30pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at the Joseph Doorley Municipal Building (1ST Floor), located at 444 Westminster Street in Providence.

The corridor, which has the working name of the Downtown Transit Connector(DTC), will create six “station-like” stops between Providence Station and the Hospital District. These stops will be designed with a unique and highly-visible identity and will include bus shelters, real time information bus arrival signage, bike share stations and other passenger amenities. The project will strive to create attractive public spaces around each stop.

The $17 million project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, with matching local funds. Part of the grant funding will be used by RIPTA to purchase vehicles to operate the service. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2018 and be completed in early 2019. Higher levels of RIPTA service may begin even before construction is complete.

Community meetings such as these allow RIPTA to present proposed plans, as well as to collect valuable feedback from the public. Please attend the meeting, or visit www.ripta-dtc.com to learn more as this project advances towards construction.

RIPTA will provide translation services and interpreter services for the deaf and hearing impaired, provided such a request is made at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.  A request for this service can be made in writing or by calling (401) 784-9500, x209.

For information on RIPTA services, passengers may call (401) 781-9400 or visit ripta.com.