Day Trippers Alert: Train To The Planes This Weekend

NARRAGANSETT, RI—The state is running free trains to the Air Show this weekend. The Department of Transportation said the service is running May 20 and 21, with trains leaving from Providence and T.F. Green stations, and for the first time, from Wickford Junction Station. But it's first come, first served.

Almost 4,000 people rode the train last year to take in the show at the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown. That worked out to one out of every 17 people who attended.

"We've heard time and time again about the long traffic delays people experience driving to the Air Show, especially on Routes 4 and 403 and occasionally I-95," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said. "We know for a fact after speaking with people who took the trains last year, there are many families who don't go to this great event simply because of the traffic. Making better use of our transit system makes it easier for families to get to the show while reducing the delays for those who continue to drive to it."

Trains to Planes is provided by RIDOT, working in conjunction with the R.I. National Guard, the National Guard Association of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, the Quonset Development Corporation, Seaview Railroad, Amtrak, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

People can board at Providence Station, at 100 Gaspee St., Providence; at T.F. Green Station, at 700 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick; or at Wickford Junction Station, at 1011 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown. Free parking is available at T.F. Green and Wickford Junction stations, and State Offices complex parking lots will have free parking for those departing from Providence Station. Space is limited.

As always, parking is free at the Air Show. During the event, RIDOT will provide updates on train availability and traffic conditions on its social media sites on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RIDOTNews) and Twitter (@RIDOTNews).

Train fare will not be collected, so people are asked to consider making a donation to Hasbro Children's Hospital when they arrive at the Air Show.

There will be three trains to the show from each station, with returning trains running from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Train riders will receive a color-coded hand stamp to indicate their return station, and RIDOT will have staff on-site at the Air Show to direct riders to the proper departure times based on the station they came from.

RIDOT will post signs and use its electronic highway message boards to direct attendees to the parking areas and to indicate if the lots and trains are full.

As was the case last year, space on the trains is limited and is first come, first serve.

The rules are no backpacks, coolers, bicycles and pets either on the train or at the show. While the Air Show does allow visitors to bring lawn chairs and camp chairs into the event, attendees traveling on the train are asked to bring only collapsible camp chairs. More information on items you can and can't bring with you into the Air Show are listed online at www.rhodeislandairshow.com.