Category: Public Transit

Ah, the 30. Truth be told, this route is a personal favorite with the fact it’s as straight a shot to Providence as possible between it, the 21, and the 22. I also happened to do this with Wintry Reiko (their online alias). Let’s look at the route, shall we?

We start off at CCRI, with quite possibly the ugliest college campus building in the state. Just like the 21, we pull out down to East Ave., however unlike the 21 we do NOT deviate into Rhode Island Mall. Instead, we just take a right towards Greenwich Ave., and then a left. From here, we went straight down and towards the mall, deviating into it. We did the mall deviation then pulled back out to Greenwich Ave., which was soon Oaklawn Ave.

Of course, while the 21 and 22 go down Mayfield Ave., the 30 instead keeps going straight. Several people got on going down Oaklawn Ave. After a few miles and fancy-looking apartments that look like they belong to rich people, the road reached a roundabout, and we went down Cranston Street from here. Soon enough, we were in Knightsville. From here, one can transfer to the 17.

We kept going straight, then hooked a right at the church and cemetary. From here, we kept going straight and past Dyer Avenue, where one can also transfer to the 17. Instead, we went straight and took a left to keep on Cranston Street. Down here were mostly businesses and some houses, with Carolina Street bringing one to Brewery Parkade, where the 31 terminates. Further down was another Dollar Tree, an empty plot of land and OH GOD WE’RE EXPRESS NOW! Yeah, we got on RI-10 and expressed all the way to downtown from here. Fortunately traffic wasn’t bad as we expressed to Memorial Boulevard and, soon enough, Kennedy Plaza.

The good: It’s direct! It’s about as straight a shot to Providence as one can get from CCRI. It’s also pretty efficient as a commuter-oriented route. Ridership data also supports that it’s better as such, with just under 600 daily riders on average. It also happens to be the first morning bus out of CCRI! However….

The bad: Unlike the 21 and 22, it’s also not as frequent. Every 50 minutes vs. every 30 for the other two. I also wonder if there’d be any benefit to a Brewery Parkade deviation here.

Overall, it’s a good route. It’s direct and one of the faster ways between CCRI and downtown Providence. Its schedule is probably the biggest pitfall, but it’s still not terrible for a commuter-oriented route. At least, I think it is one. I’d certainly up the frequency to 30 minutes and coordinate it with the 21 and 22 for CCRI-Providence service every 10 minutes out of CCRI. And that’s before the 14 and 66 are brought into the picture! But maybe, the ridership doesn’t justify a frequency increase.

Rating: 7/10

Ah, the 20. We have a route that runs through southern Providence, eastern Cranston, and Warwick all the way to T.F. Green. Verseus the 1, it’s the more direct route. So, let’s look at it, shall we?

So, it goes through downtown via Washington Street, yada yada yada, and crosses I-95. From here, it shoots straight down Elmwood Avenue, while the R Line goes left onto Broad Street. I’ll also add, that in a way, this could also be the US-1 route. Going down Broad Street, it was mostly urban buildings. The neighborhood isn’t the best, but it’s at least better than Roxbury. Moving on, we passed a bunch of businesses and a library. Eventually, the 22 splits off at Reservoir Ave…..or it would, if the bridge wasn’t out. We pressed on further past a Subway, and eventually RIPTA headquarters by Thackery Street. We also passed Roger Williams Ave, where the 22 splits off for its relatively long-term detour.

Instead of turning, we went straight and under I-95. The entrance for Roger Williams Park is also here. However, the 20 does NOT deviate into the park. Instead, we went straight and past Park Ave., which also has a bridge that’s out. We then passed a Job Lot and Price Rite, where short-turn trips end. However, this was a full run, so we pressed on.

We eventually made it to Wellington Avenue, crossing the Pawtuxet River, and entering Warwick. From here, it was a straight shot to the airport, passing by some houses and decrepit buildings, and turning right down Post Road.

Eventually, I pull the stop request cord at the last stop before the airport. “We just passed the stop!” the driver said in irritation. I then told the driver I was heading to the airport. He groaned, had a look of irritation, and pulled into the airport. Sorry? I mean, I get it’s early in the morning still but you literally drive a bus route heading to T.F. Green. You should expect there be at least ONE soul heading to T.F. Green.

From here, I then made my way up to the skybridge and walked all the way to the MBTA train platform to meet up with a friend, on the way to Boston.

The good: It’s a local route that serves T.F. Green, and is faster than the 1! Yeah, the 1 comes just as often (20 minutes in the core section between Shaw’s and Pawtucket, 40 in the section to South Attleboro and T.F. Green), but Eddy Street tends to get really clogged really fast. Elmwood Ave. doesn’t get as bad. It’s also more direct, with no deviations.

The bad: The annoyance of having every other trip end at Job Lot in Cranston. Also, what’s with the odd trips to N.E. Tech’s Post Road campus? Turns out, my trip was one of said trips, but I didn’t know because the signage only said T.F. Green via Elmwood Avenue. Also, what’s with the short-turn trips ending at Job Lot? I mean, on weekends only full-length trips end there. Also, why isn’t there any full-time NEIT Post Road service? Or, any service past the airport on Post Road? I know the 14 used to go down this section, but did noone ever use it?

Overall, it’s a somewhat weird route. Why exactly, are the NEIT trips not advertised on the headsigns for the route, so instead of it saying T.F. Green Airport via Elmwood Ave., it cycles between N.E. Tech via T.F. Green Airport/Elmwood Ave. for one of the NEIT trips? And what’s with the short-turn trips terminating at Price Rite? If it’s popular enough, just have every run serve the front door as a deviation (within business hours, of course). However, these shortcomings don’t hinder ridership, as it was quite busy for an early Thursday morning run, and it’s the 3rd highest-ridership route at over 2700 daily passengers.

Rating: 8/10

Remember how I said in the 3’s post how I referred to both that route and this as “RIPTA’s evil twins”? Well, the 3 was relatively tame in that there’s actually stuff to do along the route. The 4, on the other hand…..

So, to preserve my sanity when doing this route, I didn’t start all the way at Warwick Neck. What was there to even do near the 4’s terminus? Nothing. It’s buried deep in a residential neighborhood. So, how does the 4 reach civilization? It goes around the turnaround point at the intersection of Warwick Neck and Barton. From here, it heads northbound to Samuel Gorton Ave., then turns left at Longmeadow Ave. Turning left at Draper Ave. would bring it to West Shore Road and the Warwick Schools administrative office, places people would actually want to get to. As would ending the route at Rocky Point State Park. The route then takes a left at Tidewater Drive and goes down to West Shore Road there. It then goes right, bringing it to where I board.

The route follows West Shore Road through Conimicut Village. Eventually, the village area ends and it’s normal suburbia. We then reached the intersection at Airport Road and Warwick Ave. From here, we went right onto Warwick Ave.

Soon enough, we reached Narragansett Parkway. From here, we took a right and headed towards Pawtuxet Village. The area is a historic village area, typical of most New England towns. The Gaspee Arts & Crafts festival, along with the parade, are all held around here (and yes, the 4 gets detoured, as a result). Soon enough, Narragansett Parkway turns into Broad Street.

Soon enough, the village became suburbia again, but denser than on Warwick Ave. We were also in Cranston at this point. By the time we reached the intersections of Warwick and Norwood Avenues, we went right to join with the 3. Down here were somewhat dense housing, the ocean, and JWU’s Harborside campus.

Of course, just like the 3, the area became a freakin’ wasteland. Welcome to the Port of Providence, I guess. Also just like the 3, we turned down Blackstone Boulevard, deviated through the layover area for RIPTA buses, and then went past the hospital. Also just like the 3, no deviation here. From here, it was a straight shot, through Dorrance and Dyer Streets, and then Kennedy Plaza. This was where I got off, although the route does continue to the train station.

The good: It serves as a direct connection to Providence for the people along Warwick Neck and Warwick Ave., as well as Pawtuxet Village! As far as I can tell, the route was more designed as a commuter-oriented route, and it gets the job done quite well for that. However…..

The bad: It has the same schedule weirdness as the 3, because they’re tied together. Also, why doesn’t it get extended to Rocky Point Park? I’m sure, if it’s intended for commuters, there might be enough demand for a Warwick Neck/Oakland Beach express route.

Nearby points of interest: The industrial wastelands of Allens Ave. There’s also Providence Station and Pawtuxet Village. Conimicut too. Rocky Point as well, if you’re willing to walk.

Overall, it could be better. Yes, I get it’s commuter-oriented. But like, there’s nothing in Warwick Neck, and if a commuter route is necessary, I’m sure there’d be more demand for an Oakland Beach/Warwick Neck express that serves the Airport Road park & ride lot. Plus, why doesn’t it serve Rocky Point Park? Nevertheless, thank goodness I got one of the more evil RIPTA routes off my to-do list.

Rating: 5.5/10

Alright, the first of the two evil twins of RIPTA. Now, this one is more tame than the other route, which in this case is the 4. Now, I consider them evil twins because they both used to be just simply, the 3. 3A was Oakland Beach, and 3B was Warwick Neck. (EDIT: I got these mixed up: the 3A went to Warwick Neck, and the 3B to Oakland Beach. Thanks, commenter, for letting me know about this!) Today, we’ll be looking at Oakland Beach. While both routes officially start at Providence Station, I’ll be boarding the 3 at Kennedy Plaza. The route begins by going down Dorrance and Dyer Streets, as part of the Downtown Transit Connector. Now, unlike the 1, we do NOT deviate into RI Hospital.

Soon enough, we turned onto Allens Ave. and OH BOY did things change drastically. Rather than being in a slightly lesser than favorable neighborhood, we’re in a literal industrial wasteland. Going through here, one can see a bajillion railroad tracks, some of which are in use, hence the barriers. I’ve never seen the barriers down over here, though. There is a good reason, though, as down the side streets towards the water is the Port of Providence. Soon enough, we were in a much more residential neighborhood, even passing by Johnson & Wale’s Harborside campus!

We took a right down Norwood Ave., and slighted left onto Warwick Ave. Soon enough, after passing Stop & Shop, we were in Warwick. Since this wasn’t a South Attleboro 1 trip, we didn’t deviate into Shaw’s. However, we went straight, passing Post Road, a Dollar Tree, and CVS.

We kept going down Warwick Ave., passing by a lake and meeting up with the 4 at Narragansett Parkway. We then passed by Hoxsie and West Shore Road, where the 4 then left us. Fortunately, there was something on the way to Oakland Beach. There’s a Lutheran church! There’s also another Stop & Shop, another Dollar Tree, Hendricken High School (don’t ask me my opinion on Hendi students, because it won’t be favorable), and then we met up with West Shore Road again. From here, it was a straight shot to Oakland Beach, through a largely residential neighborhood. Soon enough, it was the end of the route, at Suburban Parkway. Yeah, unfortunately the bus doesn’t stop at the beach itself. This, though, might have to do with the roads always being crowded with parking.

The good: It’s direct! It’s largely a straight shot from downtown Providence to Oakland Beach. It’s also a quintessential bus route, if you’re into the beach and prefer transit. In fact, it’s one of only four bus routes that directly serves any beach in the state – the others being the 69 (Galilee/Narragansett), the 14 (Narragansett branch), and the 68 (North End/First Beach, Newport).

The bad: It’s not too frequent. Also, WHY IS THIS ROUTE MORE FREQUENT ON SATURDAYS THAN WEEKDAYS?! It’s 40 minutes on weekdays vs. 35 on Saturdays, but still! Another one of my nitpicks, is it doesn’t directly serve the beach. Okay, maybe that one boils down to the traffic situation not being great, and clearance not being enough for a 40ft Gillig BRT to turn comfortably, with everyone parking haphazardly. I think it could also use a frequency boost during the summer months when, ya know, people actually want to go to the beach.

Nearby points of interest: The industrial wasteland! Also, JWU’s Harborside campus! There’s Oakland Beach as well, of course. Shaw’s and two Stop & Shops can also be found along the route.

Overall, it’s not a bad route. I think it deserves better during the summer, maybe similar treatment to the 67 in Newport when people actually want to go to the beach. Alternatively, someone should sponsor an express-ish Beach Bus program between CCRI and Oakland Beach. I’d certainly take advantage of it. I’d certainly also improve weekday frequency to be every 30 minutes or so
Rating: 6.5/10

If the 27 brought us down Manton Ave. to Centerdale, surely the 28 would do something similar, right? …right???

Nope. The 28 instead terminates at a Stop & Shop in Johnston, via Hartford Ave. and a Market Basket deviation. Let’s dig into it, shall we?

The route begins at bus stop W, on the far side of Kennedy Plaza. From here, we pull out and head towards the Dunk. Passing over I-95 and US-6/RI-10, we go down Broadway through Federal Hill and, eventually, Olneyville. It’s in Olneyville that the 27 splits off and heads down Manton Avenue. Meanwhile, the 28 turns down Hartford Avenue towards Johnston.

From here, it was largely suburban to the very end. We passed by a number of houses and shops on the way down Hartford Ave., as well as other facilities like a charter school. It’d also be here that we passed a very old-looking Dollar Tree, as we passed Killingly Street. Soon enough, we’d pass Route 6 again for the last time on this route.

Eventually, we deviated! And, into the wonderful land of Market Basket, at that! From here, the route then continues down Hartford Ave. It then turns left down Atwood Ave. and deviates into the Stop & Shop nearby, marking the end of the route.

The good: It’s direct! It’s a way for people downtown to get to Johnston, as well as Stop & Shop and Market Basket, in a direct manner. And, on the inverse, it’s a direct way for people in Johnston to get to downtown. It also deviates into Market Basket, which is a plus. Quite a few people also use it, with it having an average of 1365 daily riders as of 2019.

The bad: Hmm, I guess the fact that it can become delay-ridden when school begins and ends due to the endless stream of school buses is probably the worst thing about this.

Nearby points of interest: The Dunk! Also, Olneyville! It also has Market Basket (and, as of 6/1/22, is the only RIPTA route that directly serves the front door of one, though this will change when the summer service changes go into effect on the 18th). Lastly, Stop & Shop! However…..there isn’t much else.

Overall, it’s what a key bus route should be: straightforward and direct. It’s not as busy as some of the others (like the 1), but not all decent key bus routes have to be packed 24/7. Besides, sometimes it’s nice to take a bus ride out to Market Basket and back.

Rating: 8/10