TheSausageFattener t1_itvzabl wrote on October 26, 2022 at 6:33 PM

They sort of bury the lede here that amidst all of this talk of “it’ll get better if we build more housing” is that the state is looking at a $274 million Amtrak hookup at TF Green, which I think is a worse station. $44 million for Wickford isn’t a lot of money compared to some of these highway projects, and neither is Pawtucket Station. But dumping that much into Warwick? The fuck?

ToadScoper OP t1_itw3dt3 wrote on October 26, 2022 at 6:59 PM

The TF Green station should have been electrified to accommodate Amtrak from the start, it was a massive oversight. TF green could also benefit from a frequent air-shuttle train between union and Warwick to actually facilitate ridership by rail between the airport and Providence, this could be accomplished with short EMU sets.

TheSausageFattener t1_itwl51c wrote on October 26, 2022 at 8:51 PM

Exactly, though I think they should have put the station in Apponaug with that roundabout project they did. Then they could have tried running a Silver Line style bus from the station to the airport.

The article even mentions that the MBTA and DOT are discussing the feasibility of the service these stations are getting with such low ridership. That is not a good sign. Given how Massachusetts is trying to upzone around commuter rail stops I’d bet they’re less inclined to service RI if RI doesn’t do the same.