Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

« Auditor general: Reconsider locally-run pension plans | Today | Update: Reed key player in Senate debate on Iraq »

July 9, 2007

Full lots didn't stop RIPTA beach buses

The mid-afternoon closing of all state beaches yesterday to additional comers because of heavy car traffic did not stop RIPTA express buses running morning-only beach routes.

And it did not halt RIPTA's Route #66, which runs through the day and was still able to stop at beaches after the halt on additional parked cars took effect, according to Karen Mensel, spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

The morning express buses left too early -- 8:45 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. -- to be affected by the closings. Those buses leave from Central Falls, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and North Providence and run from June 30 to Aug. 13.

Find more on RIPTA's summer bus schedules here.

Despite the full parking lots yesterday, don't expect new RIPTA bus beach routes.

"RIPTA does not have the resources to add" routes, Mensel said. "I think there are people who would probably appreciate it if we could" but without additional resources it isn't possible.

Yesterday, the Department of Transportation message initially flashed on the Amber Alert signs over highways stated: ALL RHODE ISLAND STATE BEACHES CLOSED.

Callers to the DEM asked if the closure was due to pollution.

The DEM updated its message within a half-hour to say lack of parking was the problem. Traffic on a hot and humid day had cars filling up lots at state beaches, Shortly before 2 p.m., DEM decided to close the beaches to additional comers.

Larry Mouradjian, DEM's associate director of natural resources, said today he thinks the signs were effective, once they clarified that the parking lots were full, not that there was a problem with the water. He doesn’t think there will be a similar problem for a while.

On yesterday’s closures, he said: “It’s a culmination of a lot of issues,” including the fact that the first week of July is a traditional vacation week and that Sunday is a traditional beach day.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

The degree of traffic, however, was unprecedented. “It’s the first time we can recall that all of our facilities were all full at the same time.”

Usually, when beachgoers call because one lot is closed, “We typically say ‘Scarborough’s closed, but go down to Wheeler. By 1:30 or so, I couldn’t even refer them to other beaches.”

Indications were that RIPTA buses were carrying plenty of passengers as more hot and humid air enveloped the state.

"I gather that they were pretty full. I saw the driver who came out of Woonsocket [express bus to the beach]. He said he had 47 people on that bus," said Mensel. "That's a lot."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:12 PM | Permalink

July 9, 2007

Full lots didn't stop RIPTA beach buses

Comments

Post a comment