RIPTA had planned to eliminate the express bus service from northern parts of Rhode Island to state beaches in Narragansett, citing low ridership. That decision was quickly opposed by beach access and public transit advocates who say there are already too many barriers to getting to the shore from urban areas and fewer people using the service because it’s poorly marketed.
Now Gov. Dan McKee has announced on his Twitter account he’s directed RIPTA to continue the service “and our teams will collaborate to make sure Rhode Islanders know about these rides.”
McKee added, “With costs rising due to inflation this is not a time to be discontinuing this service.”
RIPTA’s long-running beach bus was temporarily suspended during the pandemic for safety reasons but had been reinstated. In past summers, it’s taken riders from North Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls, Providence, Pawtucket and Cranston to Scarborough, Roger Wheeler and Salty Brine beaches.
Other non-express routes stop at public beaches, including Narragansett Town Beach.
Alex Nunes can be reached at anunes@thepublicsradio.org
