New Transit Center and Bus Hub Planned for Providence

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority officials recently approved a design-build contract for a bus hub to Downtown Providence, Rhode Island.

1 minute read

August 28, 2023, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A drawing of a planned bus facility in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.

A rendering of the proposed Dorrance Street Transit Center. | Rhode Island Public Transit Authority / Dorrance Street Transit Center

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is planning a new downtown transit center and bus hub in Providence, Rhode Island.

“RIPTA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday to team up with Next Wave Rhode Island Partners to design and construct the so-called bus hub,” report Allison Shinskey and Sarah Doiron for WPRI. The project is dubbed the Dorrance Street Transit Center, according to a page devoted to the project on the RIPTA website.

“The new transit center will eventually serve as RIPTA’s central bus depot. The goal of the new bus hub is to centralize RIPTA’s operations in the city and encourage the use of public transit,” according to Shinskey and Doiron.

“The new transit center will feature a temperature-controlled passenger arrival and seating space, according to RIPTA. It will also offer accommodations for bicyclists, as well as ground-level retail space and housing on the upper floors.”

The project is funded by a bond approved by voters in 2014.

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