RIPTA Adding Express Route To Beaches For Summer

NARRAGANSETT, RI — In an effort to reduce beach traffic and parking woes, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is bringing back express weekend service to South County beaches this summer. Starting on Saturday, RIPTA will move to its summer schedule, which includes the additional trips to Scarborough, Salty Brine and Roger Wheeler beaches.

Most summer schedule changes are minor, including slight schedule changes and several additional routes. The department shifts its routes and schedules three times per year to best meet the needs of Rhode Islanders.

Summer beach service will run from several northern Rhode Island areas, including John Cummings Way at the Community Care Alliance in Woonsocket, Cranston City Hall, Dexter and West Hunt Streets in Central Falls, North Providence City Hall and the Pawtucket Transit Center. All of these routes will stop at Kennedy Plaza, except for Central Falls and Pawtcuket. THe buses will then make stops at Scarborough, Salty Brine and Roger Wheeler beaches. Beach express routes cost $2, the same as all other RIPTA rides and will run from June 22 to August 25.

In addition to the beach express route, RIPTA offers a year-round route to the University of Rhode Island and Galilee every hour from Kennedy Plaza on Route 66.

Other summer schedule changes include more frequent trips on Route 67 in Newport to Bellevue Avenue and the mansions and the addition of a free shuttle to the Providence-Newport fast ferry, as well as more trips on Route 95X in South County and adjustments to the Quonset Express, which will now make stops in at the park-and-ride on Broadway in Pawtucket and in Cranston.

The following routes will be affected by RIPTA's summer schedule:

• QX Quonset Service
• 1 Eddy/ Hope/ Benefit
• 13 Coventry/ Arctic/ Warwick Mall
• 29 Kent County
• 61X Tiverton / East Bay Express
• 66 URI / Galilee
• 67 Bellevue / Mansions
• 71 Broad St. / Pawtucket Avenue
• 95X Westerly Express
• Express Weekend Beach Bus
• Providence Newport Ferry Shuttle

Up-to-date information on individual routes and schedules is always available on RIPTA's website, and the department encourages riders to check before heading out.