The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will implement its summer service changes on Saturday, June 20, bringing the return of seasonal beach service and several adjustments aimed at Newport-area riders.
RIPTA adjusts its service three times a year in response to seasonal changes and passenger use. This round affects Routes 23, 65x and 67, and Flex On Demand will launch in Flex Zones 281 and 282 starting June 22.
For Newport, the changes include the return of free shuttle service to the Providence/Newport ferry and increased frequency on Route 67 (Bellevue/Salve Regina University), which will now run every 20 minutes all day on weekdays and every 15 minutes all day on weekends and holidays. Route 67 and Route 68 (CCRI Newport/Memorial Blvd./First Beach) will be free for passengers through Oct. 31, courtesy of Discover Newport and the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. More information is available at RIPTA.com/Newport.
The South County Express Beach Bus returns Saturday, July 4, running on weekends and holidays through Aug. 23 with express service from Central Falls, Cranston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket to Salty Brine (Galilee), Roger Wheeler (Sand Hill Cove) and Scarborough beaches. The fare for the express trips is the regular bus fare of $2 one-way.
RIPTA also reminded passengers that Route 69 (Narragansett/Galilee) runs Monday through Saturday to the beach, with riders from Providence able to take Route 66 to URI, where it connects to Route 69. More information on beach access is available at RIPTA.com/BeachService.
Among the other adjustments, Route 23 (Arctic/Crompton/Centre of New England) will see minor trip-time changes to improve on-time performance, and Route 65x (Wakefield Park & Ride) will shift its weekday morning inbound trip from 6:25 to 6:30 a.m. and its afternoon outbound trip from 5:15 to 4:38 p.m., based on passenger survey feedback. Beginning June 22, Flex 281 (Woonsocket/Manville) and Flex 282 (Pascoag/Slatersville) users will be able to book trips within both zones using the Flex On Demand mobile app.
Passengers are encouraged to check new schedules for how the changes may affect them. For schedules and more information, riders can call 401-781-9400 or visit RIPTA.com.
