Recent News

RIPTA Board Adopts Streetcar Concept
In March 2012, RIPTA’s Board of Directors adopted a Providence streetcar route as the preferred option for meeting Core Connector goals. RIPTA and the City are now evaluating opportunities to advance this effort and to help Providence connect, grow and thrive.

Find Out More
Take a look at our Summary Fact Sheet to learn about the proposed Providence Streetcar. Or, check our Project Details page to view past presentations or download technical documents. Thank you for your interest in the Core Connector!

RIPTA & City Recommend Streetcars for Providence
The Core Connector study has found that streetcars would improve mobility in our downtown core while increasing the pace of economic growth. Click here to learn more about streetcars and Enhanced Bus technologies, and to see how the options for new transit service compared.

click to download a pdf

RIPTA & the City of Providence Propose a Streetcar Route

A streetcar route between Upper South Providence and College Hill would connect major activity centers in our downtown core, spur significant new development, and create an estimated 6,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

This investment in our future would also enhance the vitality, livability and attractiveness of our Capital City.

Identification of this proposed 2.5 mile streetcar route represents the culmination of an 18-month long study of potential alternatives. We welcome you to review any of the technical reports prepared over the course of this study, by visiting our Project Details page.

click to download the overview pdf

Transit Can Take You Places

The Core Connector Study has three main goals: connecting our communities through more transportation choices, growing our local and regional economy, and contributing to thriving neighborhoods through sustainable investment in transit.

Let’s first focus on how we can better connect to rally around our local businesses and nurture strong neighborhoods. “Core connections” offer many literal benefits:

Connecting employees to their jobs; 1/3 of nearly 50,000 downtown employees currently walk, bike, or take transit to work. Improved transit connections will enhance the mobility of these individuals within the downtown core.
Connecting both low- and moderate-income households and our college and university students with downtown—without relying on automobile ownership.
Connecting more than 2 million visitors annually with events like Waterfire and venues like the Convention Center, theProvidence Performing Arts Center the RISD Museum, and local restaurants and businesses.

Transit can help us grow too by improving how we can transition former manufacturing centers like the Jewelry District to more diverse employment centers.

Beyond economic growth, transit helps neighborhoods thrive by giving community members an alternative to auto use, diverting cars from our city streets while preserving mobility and encouraging walking.