RIDOT to talk commuter rail cutbacks

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - If you like riding the commuter rail from Warwick to Boston, enjoy it while it lasts. Your options will be shrinking soon.

Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts commuters who take commuter rail are being included in the big changes coming to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) fare and service schedule. Because of that, RIDOT is hosting a discussion of the changes.

The meeting is set for the Atrium of the Rhode Island Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill, Providence, on Feb. 27 between 6 and 8 p.m. Representatives from the MBTA will present the plan and answer questions.

The MBTA is facing a serious revenue shortfall, and is planning to increase fares and/or cut back on service on many lines, including the Providence/Stoughton line, which provides commuter rail service to Providence -- and, since opening in October 2010, the InterLink transportation hub serving T.F. Green Airport. Click here to link to a PDF or Word document for details on the changes.

The T's plan will entirely eliminate weekend commuter rail service, including to Providence's Union Station and the InterLink, and on weekdays after 10 p.m. In a news release Friday, RIDOT said the state would lose four weekday stops and 19 weekend stops.

The InterLink facility cost $267 million to build, and has won regional awards for its design.