Amtrak’s Kingston Station is shown in April 2023. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is seeking public input on ways to support ridership growth for both bus and train services and safe connections to the adjacent South County Bike Path trailhead. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will host a public meeting Thursday to discuss proposed upgrades to Kingston Station that would improve lighting, accessibility and passenger drop-off zones.
The meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Kingston Free Library. RIPTA staff will present conceptual designs at the meeting, highlighting capital and amenity improvements meant to boost transit capacity, safety and rider experience.
With the Kingston Station, RIPTA wants to boost ridership for both its own and Amtrak’s services, while also ensuring safe links to the nearby South County Bike Path trailhead. The train station has operated continuously since opening in 1875, and currently serves as a stop on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.
RIPTA routes 64 and 66 stop at the station.
“We invite all residents, businesses, and stakeholders to engage in this public meeting,” Christopher Durand, RIPTA’s interim CEO, said in a statement. “Your insights on current transportation experiences — what is effective, what needs improvement, and what could enhance your travel experience — are invaluable to us. Together, we can create a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable transit system.”
The meeting will also address how the Kingston Station project integrates with statewide plans like Transit Forward RI 2040, which envisions expanded and improved service, more accessibility and more frequent trips. The agency is also exploring adding rapid bus or light rail service connecting densely populated communities in central Rhode Island and Blackstone Valley.
RIPTA is asking those who regularly travel to and from South County to fill out an online survey on their transit use.
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