RIPTA
Photo provided by Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) Credit: RIPTA

Good morning, Newport! Today is Friday, June 20, the 171st day of 2025. There are 194 days left in the year. Summer begins today.

🚨 You need to know

Get ready for more frequent buses and free rides on key routes beginning Saturday (June 21). The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is rolling out its seasonal service changes effective this Saturday, June 21, 2025, bringing significant benefits for residents and visitors in Newport and across Aquidneck Island.

Here’s a look at what these updates mean for Newport, Middletown, Jamestown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Little Compton.

Big Wins for Newport: Free Rides and Increased Service

In a major boost for navigating the city, service on Route 67 (Bellevue/Mansions) will be more frequent, running every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends.

Reminder: Through a partnership with Discover Newport and the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, both Route 67 and Route 68 (CCRI Newport/Memorial Blvd./First Beach) are free for all passengers from May 23 through October 31, 2025. This initiative encourages the use of public transportation to access major attractions, such as the Newport Mansions and First Beach, aiming to reduce summer traffic and parking challenges.

To further alleviate downtown congestion, RIPTA is increasing weekend service between the Newport Park & Ride lot and the Newport Transportation Center. Buses will now run every 15 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering a more convenient option for visitors. The free shuttle service connecting to the Providence/Newport ferry will also return for the season.

Commuter Route Adjustments for Newport County

For those who rely on RIPTA for work, several key routes serving Aquidneck Island and Jamestown will see schedule adjustments designed to improve on-time performance.

  • Portsmouth & Middletown: Commuters on Route 60 (Providence/Newport) will find weekday schedules have been rescheduled for better predictability. Specifically, trips serving the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) have been adjusted to better align with employee shift times.
  • Jamestown & Middletown: The Route 14 (West Bay), a crucial link for Jamestown residents, will see minor tweaks to afternoon and evening weekday trips. The 4:01 p.m. departure from Newport will now leave at 4:15 p.m., while the 6:10 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. trips to Providence will depart five minutes later.
  • Tiverton & Little Compton: The summer 2025 service changes do not include any direct route or schedule adjustments for Tiverton or Little Compton.

Statewide Changes and Beach Bus Return

While the most significant local changes are centered on Newport, RIPTA is also launching its popular Express Beach Bus service to South County beaches on June 28. This service, running on weekends and holidays from hubs like Providence and Pawtucket, does not serve Aquidneck Island or East Bay beaches but is part of RIPTA’s broader summer service offerings.

RIPTA encourages all passengers to check the new schedules to see how these changes may affect their travel plans. For complete schedules and more information, visit RIPTA.com/schedules or call 401-781-9400.

What else you need to know

☀️ The summer solstice will occur at 10:42 pm this evening, making today the longest day of the year. Newport will see 15 hours and 11 minutes of sun today, enjoy it!

🦈 Today marks the 50th anniversary of “Jaws.” It remains one of the most beloved and rewatched movies of all time (I think I’ve seen it at least 50 times). But how good is your knowledge of some of the lore surrounding Steven Spielberg’s 1975 masterpiece? Test your knowledge.

⛴️ Governor McKee will be joined by the RIDOT, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Seastreak, and Discover Newport at the Providence Ferry Terminal at 9 am this morning to kick off the 2025 season for the Providence-Newport Ferry, which is returning for its 10th season.

🆕 A new eco-friendly shuttle service will host a launch party at Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling this evening.

🌷 The 29th Annual Newport Flower Show gets underway today at Rosecliff.

🍓 On tap this weekend: Newport Flower Show, Strawberry Festival, Free For All Saturday at Newport Art Museum, and more. Get the weekend roundup here.

🆓 Reminder: Newport County residents and employees of the hospitality industry from any location are invited to “Be Our Guest” and enjoy free admission or discounts at 19 participating attractions in Newport and Bristol Counties this weekend.

📈 Yesterday’s most-read

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.

  1. Procaccianti Companies gets green light for The Bellevue Hotel
  2. Obituary: Claire B. Donahoe
  3. Newport Polo Gala to support local environmental initiatives
  4. You good, man? RIDOH launches campaign to spotlight men’s mental health
  5. Home of the Week: 109 Corey Lane, Middletown
  6. What’s Up in Newport County this weekend: June 20 – 22
  7. Obituary: Nancy K. (Murphy) Flynn
  8. Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
  9. Providence-Newport Ferry will kick off 2025 season on June 20
  10. Obituary: Eugene “Joe” Sullivan

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

Marine Forecast

  • Small Craft Advisory until June 20, 8 PM
  • Today: WSW wind 11 to 15 kt, with gusts as high as 29 kt. Sunny. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: W wind 5 to 9 kt. Mostly clear. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 64 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:11 am. Sunset at 8:22 pm. 15 hours & 11 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 3:18 am & 3:54 pm. Low tide at 8:52 am & 10:24 pm.
  • The lunar phase is a Waning Crescent.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

  • No meetings are scheduled.

Cruise Ship Schedule

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...