RIPTA Cancels Express Beach Runs — Union Says It Could Take 3 Buses for Families to Make Trip

RIPTA Cancels Express Beach Runs — Union Says It Could Take 3 Buses for Families to Make Trip

RIPTA has canceled its express beach bus runs for seven cities and towns for the upcoming summer season, GoLocal has learned.

While RIPTA claims that there are other beach transportation services for Rhode Islanders, ATU Vice President Joe Cole -- whose union represents RIPTA drivers -- is decrying the move. 

“[This comes] at a time when $5 a gallon for gas is approaching for the summer and RIPTA has the money to run this,” said Cole.

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Moreover, Cole said it will now take three busses if families in the previously served express areas — Cranston, Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, North Providence and Johnston — to access state beaches. 

“It’s unconscionable not to run direct service to our beaches for passengers trying to keep their families going in a time of high inflation,” said Cole. 

RIPTA had also canceled the service in 2020 during the pandemic. 

In 2021, as GoLocal reported, a Narragansett resident wanted the town to limit the number of RIPTA buses being able to stop at the beach — and check non-residents for weapons — following a brawl on Narragansett Town Beach.

There was no indication RIPTA riders were among those involved or arrested.

 

Union Decries Move

Cole told GoLocal he received verification last week that the Express Beach Service will not run this summer. 

“It was said [RIPTA Director Scott] Avedisian talked to the Governor, and RIPTA said the added services would put added stress on the system,” said Cole. “The beach service runs only Saturday and Sunday at one round trip. It was run last summer and has run every year except during COVID.”

Cole acknowledged that there are new routes — but that they are not sufficient in his opinion. 

“Although RIPTA is adding new routes that run all week (Routes 16-23 for Elmwood) and new beach service for Newport beaches (route number 68), in order for passengers to travel to the beach they would have to travel on 3 buses,” he said, 

“One bus to [Kennedy Plaza]; a second bus (66) to URI, and then a third bus (69),” he continued. “When planning changed a direct route to Galilee from Providence, it implemented a bus change at URI.”

Cole said he has contacted lawmakers in an attempt to change the current service provided. 

“They may say absences are high but service is reduced on weekends,” said Cole. “I’m hoping we can work together and make our beaches assessable to not only state residents who have a vehicle but to all state residents that need a way to visit our beaches.”

 

RIPTA on Record

“While the Express Beach Bus will not be reinstated this year, RIPTA offers year-round service to a number of popular beaches on the following routes,” RIPTA spokesperson Cristy Raposa told GoLocal, who delineated the following:

"A new Route 68 is proposed to start this summer that will serve First Beach in Newport.  

Route 69 (Narragansett/Galilee) provides access to South County Beaches 7 days a week every hour. Passengers traveling from Providence can ride Route 66 to URI and transfer to Route 69.

Route 14 (West Bay) provides regular, year-round weekday and limited Saturday service from Kennedy Plaza to Narragansett Beach.  

Route 3 (Oakland Beach) provides access to Oakland Beach in Warwick 7 days a week.  

Route 54 (Lincoln/Woonsocket):  provides access to Lincoln Woods 7 days a week.

The Narragansett/South Kingstown Flex Zone provides 7 Day service to Narragansett, Roger Wheeler and Salty Brine beaches, while the South Aquidneck Zone serves Easton’s Beach in Newport Mondays through Saturdays."