02.04.08
Providence/Newport Ferry Service to End in 2008
According to a RIPTA ferry report, the high speed ferry service between Providence and Newport will end after the 2008 season.
RIPTA’s Providence/Newport Ferry Service has been a hit since it was introduced in 2000. In 2007, ridership for the five month ferry season was 47,002, the highest ridership in the ferry’s eight-year history.
The federal funding that made this service possible is set to expire at the end of this season. It will be a shame to see, yet another, public transit option fade out of existence. I know that many cyclists enjoyed a day trip to Newport by taking their bikes on the ferry. I know RIPTA can’t afford to fund this service, they are already running with record deficits. Perhaps some private organization will step up to the plate to keep this service running?