Free RIPTA Quonset Express Bus Service Extended

QUONSET, RI — The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced Wednesday that it will be extending its free Quonset express pilot program through the end of the year. Since January, the new route has offered non-stop service from Providence to Quonset business park in North Kingstown. The free program was scheduled to end this month, but was extended through the end of 2019 in an effort to boost ridership.

"This is all about economic development and connecting people to jobs," RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian said in a statement. "We knew that starting in the winter would be a bit of a challenge, and continuing the free pilot program will give more people a chance to give it a try it."

The route, called QX, was launched as part of a partnership with the Quonset Development Corporation to make the more than 200 businesses in the are more accessible. This includes including Electric Boat, Toray Plastics and the Ocean State Job Lot Distribution Center.

"For too long, Quonset Business Park was inaccessible for many hardworking Rhode Islanders," Governor Gina Raimondo said. "No one should have to turn down a great job because they don't have a way to get there. This free pilot program is an important step in our efforts to connect Rhode Islanders with economic opportunity through public transit, and I’m glad it’s been extended through the end of this year."

The weekday route currently offers two trips to Quonset from Kennedy Plaza in the morning, stopping at many locations in the business park. In the afternoon, there are two return trips back to the city.

"We are committed to making the Quonset Business Park accessible for the nearly 12,000 workers who commute here each day," Steven King, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation said. "We hope more employees will take advantage of the Quonset Express bus as spring approaches."

According to Avedisian, RIPTA has received a lot of feedback from riders in the first few months and plans on adjusting trip times in June to better serve employees' needs, as well as considering extending the route to Pawtucket to make it accessible to more people. Specifiec route changes will be announced at a later date.

The free pilot program was funded through a federal grant and additional funds from the Quonset Development Corporation.