May 24, 2024
Press Releases
Rhode Islanders invited to share their feedback and opinions regarding the future Providence Transit Center by attending upcoming public meetings and/or completing online survey
After receiving feedback from hundreds of Rhode Islanders earlier this month on potential locations and design features for the new Providence Transit Center, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and Next Wave Rhode Island Partners (Next Wave Partners) are continuing their public input process with two additional public engagement sessions scheduled for next week.
“We are pleased to see a significant amount of public participation in this ongoing process, and we are committed to continuing to provide opportunities for Rhode Islanders to add their respective voices to this important project,” said Christopher Durand, interim CEO, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. “Our goal is to deliver a modern, state-of-the-art transit center that benefits all Rhode Islanders, and that goal cannot be met without public input.”
Upcoming Public Engagement Sessions
A virtual public engagement session will be held on Wednesday, May 29 from 12 – 1 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to join RIPTA and Next Wave Partners leaders via Zoom to share their feedback and opinions. Wednesday’s meeting will also be streamed live on RIPTA’s Facebook page, and a recording of the meeting will be made available online after the event’s conclusion.
Attendees can register for Wednesday’s virtual event by clicking here.
The following day, Thursday, May 30, from 4 – 7 p.m., RIPTA will host an in-person session at the Community College of Rhode Island’s Knight Campus (400 East Avenue, Warwick). This session will be held in an “Open House” format, allowing attendees to stop by at any time during the event’s duration. Spanish, Portuguese, and American Sign Language interpreters will be on-site to provide on-demand assistance as necessary, and food and beverages will be served.
While registration is not required, attendees can RSVP for Thursday’s in-person event by clicking here.
Online Survey
In addition to hosting a series of virtual and in-person public engagement sessions, RIPTA and Next Wave Partners are also collecting public input through a brief, online survey. Rhode Islanders are encouraged to visit www.TransitCenterSurvey.com to participate.
About the Project
The new transit center will serve as RIPTA’s central bus hub, supporting millions of trips annually, and feature a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled passenger arrival and seating area, staff break areas, and amenities including multi-modal accommodations for bicyclists.
Using a progressive public-private partnership (P3) model, RIPTA and Next Wave Partners will work together in two phases to complete the new transit center, a common model for larger infrastructure projects. This approach will ensure RIPTA has input at all stages of the development and can access the private-sector funding and expertise needed to successfully deliver a project of this scale.
At the first public engagement session held on Monday, May 13, RIPTA and Next Wave Partners announced several sites that are currently being explored to serve as the home of the future Providence Transit Center. These sites include: Clifford Street; Dorrance Street; Eddy Street; Exchange Street; Friendship Street; Gaspee Street; and Park Row West. Each of the sites being explored were chosen based on their potential availability, proximity to key activity centers, and accessibility to local and regional transit networks.
Additional public engagement sessions will be held throughout the spring and summer. Dates and locations of upcoming sessions and summaries of all public input will be made available in the coming weeks.
Visit www.RIPTA.com/TransitCenter for more information and updates.
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About RIPTA: The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s mission is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transit service with a skilled team of professionals responsive to our customers, the environment, and committed to transit excellence.
About Next Wave Rhode Island Partners: Next Wave Rhode Island Partners is a consortium comprised of leaders in Rhode Island’s development sector, including Marsella Development Corporation, Gilbane Development Company, Plenary Americas, Gilbane Building Company, CUBE 3 and Jacobs. Next Wave Partners was selected in August of 2023 by RIPTA to design and construct a new transit center in Providence. RIPTA’s Board of Directors voted to approve Next Wave Partner’s engagement on January 30, 2024.