PROVIDENCE – Free train service again will be available for the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show, May 20 and 21, the R.I. Department of Transportation announced Monday.
According to RIDOT, train service debuted last year to help alleviate congestion on major highways leading to the annual event at the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown.
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RIDOT estimates that nearly 4,000 people took advantage of the service in 2016, representing one out of every 17 people who visited the show. Service is expanded this year as RIDOT doubled service to the air show with extra trips from Providence and T.F. Green stations as well as Wickford Junction Station, which was added as a stop for the event this year.
Train fare will not be collected, and attendees will be asked to consider donating to Hasbro Children’s Hospital when they arrive at the Air Show.
Free parking is available at T.F. Green and Wickford Junction stations, as well as the state offices parking lots for those departing from Providence Station.
“We’ve heard time and time again about the long traffic delays people experience driving to the Air Show, especially on routes 4 and 403 and occasionally I-95,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. “We know for a fact after speaking with people who took the trains last year, there are many families who don’t go to this great event simply because of the traffic. Making better use of our transit system makes it easier for families to get to the show while reducing the delays for those who continue to drive to it.”
The press release said that attendees will not be allowed to ride with backpacks, coolers, pets or bicycles, as well as anything else not allowed at the show, a list of which can be found on the event’s website.
Each station will have three departures. A Wickford Junction train will return three times each day while Providence and T.F. Green will each have four return trips.
Trains will depart from Providence at 8 and 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Trains will depart from T.F. Green at 8:16 and 10:16 a.m. and 12:31 p.m.
Return trains for Providence and T.F. Green depart at 1:15, 3:10, 5:15 and 6 p.m.
Trains will depart from Wickford at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
Return trains to Wickford depart at 12:33, 2:33 and 4:25 p.m.
Chris Bergenheim is a PBN staff writer.
