Politics & Government

How Would You Improve Rail Services in Rhode Island?

The Federal Railroad Administration is accepting comments and feedback on the future of rail service in Rhode Island and the northeast.

Thousands of Rhode Island commuters use train service in lieu of bus or car. For many more, however, the current train services don't fit their needs. Even those who do use area train services have their two cents on how to make it better.

The Federal Railroad Administration is asking Rhode Islanders and New Englanders for their feedback and input on how to improve railway service in the Northeast Corridor. This past Wednesday in Providence, the agency held the last of its nine public hearings to seek ideas for the project.

According to the Providence Journal, Steven Musen (who heads the Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers) said the importance of a commuter rail service linking Westerly, Kingstown, T.F. Green Airport and Providence would supersede the augmentation of the high-speed Acela trains in the area. He added that this commuter service needs to be more frequent so passengers can depend on it.

Find out what's happening in North Kingstownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This past spring, North Kingstown got a new option for transportation with the . Running weekdays, the rail brings to commuters to Warwick, Providence and all the way up to Boston. The newly-opened station has its critics, however, who are pining for extended schedules including late-night and weekend service. .

Though the public hearings are done, the Federal Railroad Administration is seeking additional input until Sept. 14. Comments can be submitted at the agency's website.

Find out what's happening in North Kingstownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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