RIPTA To Reopen Public Restrooms At Kennedy Plaza This Week

PROVIDENCE, RI — Restrooms are back open at Rhode Island's public transit hubs, Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced Tuesday. The restrooms at Kennedy Plaza, closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen Wednesday, the officials said.

"Reopening public restrooms at three busy transit facilities in our state is a necessary step to address public need as we re-emerge from the pandemic," McKee said. "From the start, I urged all parties to come together to find a solution. I am glad to announce a plan that ensures public access to restrooms, and allows drivers to continue providing essential transit service on schedule. I want to thank RIPTA and the City of Providence for their collaboration as we move forward."

The restrooms at the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center and the Pawtucket Transit Center also reopened recently, RIPTA said.

As part of the agreement to reopen the facilities at Kennedy Plaza, RIPTA and the City of Providence included provisions to protect drivers and continue to enforce the federal mask mandate on public transportation. Starting Wednesday, the restrooms will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At this time, no other services such as photo TDs or customer service are avilable inside the building.

"We are happy to be moving forward on this issue," said RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian, "and we appreciate the steps the City is taking. Enforcing the mask mandate in such a busy public space will be a challenge, but we understand the importance of public access to the restrooms. It is also important is that our drivers have access to facilities where they do not have to wait in line and worry about not staying on schedule."

In the agreement, the city agreed to retrofit restrooms at the nearby public skating rink for drivers to use, RIPTA said.