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Archive -- Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers Event - Wickford Jct.
Date
Monday, July 10, 2017 Monday, July 10, 2017
Location
RIDOT is sponsoring an event at the MBTA Wickford Jct, RI Train Station on Monday, July 10 at 9:00 to publicize the start of free train service from Wickford Jct. and Hillsgrove to Providence, RI for the next several months.
The Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers will have a table at the event and pareticipants will answer questions about train service, not only on the MBTA, but the national service, and we have agreed to participate.
Terms of the free service: No fares will be collected for riders board at either the Wickford Jct. or Hillsgrove (Airport Station). Riders continuing on beyond Providence will pay the normal fare from Providence to their destination. There could be a problem with paying a surcharge on the train, since there is a ticket counter for the MBTA in Providence Station. I pointed this out to the RIDOT Officials, and they may have solved this problem. Currently 90% of the riders boarding at Hillsgrove are going to Massachusetts locations (primarily Boston) and 70% + of the riders boarding at Wickford Jct. are also going beyond Providence.
Parking is free at Wickford Jct. Station. You do have to pay to park at the Airport Station.
"The COVID Pandemic has been and continues to be the biggest challenge faced by Americans as it has taken a deadly toll on the world and on the world’s economies. During COVID Locomotive Engineers at Amtrak and other Passenger and Freight Railroads have embodied the definition of essential workers. This dedication by our members is not new. We applaud the Rail Passenger’s Association for recognizing the vital contributions of our members and their hard work moving Americans and freight during the COVID pandemic."
Dennis Pierce, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.