The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) recently held a grand-opening ceremony to celebrate the first day of service for the $63 million Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center.
The rail-bus transit center includes dedicated platforms for northbound and southbound rail service. The bus hub has five berths with covered shelters for passengers.
The transit center will also allow riders to easily switch modes of transportation between RIPTA’s statewide bus network and commuter rail operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
“RIDOT is forever grateful for the efforts of our Congressional Delegation and other federal partners for providing us the funding so we could build this new transit center,” Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said. “This station, with its built-in bus hub, provides many options for commuters locally and across Rhode Island to make quick and easy connections to their destinations. It also will help mitigate congestion on our highways and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.”
The commuter rail station will supplement three stations serviced by the MBTA with numerous stops in Massachusetts on the route to Boston.
The bus hub built adjacent to the train station will serve commuters in the Pawtucket, Central Falls, and the greater Blackstone Valley area.