When train service begins, the junction in Warwick will provide an “intermodal hub” with parking spaces for rental cars, access to commuter rail and buses, and a skywalk connecting passengers to the airport.
DOT says it has plans, following the first phase of the project, to look into expanding commuter rail service to Kingston, Westerly, East Greenwich, and Pawtucket.
A local study is also underway to connect Providence to Woonsocket through existing rail lines. New service is years away, but Catherine Ady, Woonsocket’s deputy director of com-munity planning, says the study results will be released by the end of this year.
Even with the seeming benefit that might be offered by expanded commuter rail, not all transit officials embrace the concept.
“It’s being built because it was easy and it’s sexy,” says RIPTA’s Therrien. “Who rides commuter rail? White upper middle class [people].”
As Therrien’s remarks suggest, the state needs a multi-faceted approach to transit, encompassing “sexy” projects and more support for the humble bus service operated by RIPTA.
But progress depends on a familiar problem.
“Ultimately, it’s going to come down to: ‘Where’s the money?’ ” says DOT’s Lewis. “Can the money be provided for maintaining our system, let alone expanding our system?”
With the state already strapped, RIPTA will need to get creative if it’s going to drum up the necessary funding. The report by Cicilline’s working group suggested looking into options like the TIF funds used in Portland.
To get the federal “big money,” RIPTA will have to jump through an elaborate series of bureaucratic hoops, proving that its system will generate the high ridership rate require by US guidelines. State and local sources will also have to demonstrate a willingness to chip in. Even with federal money, any major projects will take an estimated 10 years, Ther-rien says.
The federal government under George W. Bush has been particularly stingy with public transit funds. So will the upcoming presidential election have any impact on transit in Rhode Island?
“It could only get better,” says Therrien.
While Rhode Island isn’t likely to see any major changes in public transit anytime soon, the state may ultimately benefit from a slowly emerging cultural shift.
For now, the shortcomings of the status quo are most clear to those, like Jennifer Bulpitt, who rely on public transit.
Yet as more Rhode Islanders grow tired of high gas prices, growing commuting time, worsening traffic congestion, continued sprawl, and missed economic development op-portunities, it might raise public support for a different way of getting from here to there.
Amy Littlefield canbe reached atlittlefield.amy@gmail.com.
