Bristol-Providence Ferry Service Ends

BRISTOL, RI — The last day to use the Bristol-Providence ferry service, created to help commuters amid the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, has passed.

The last day for the temporary free ferry service between the State Street Dock in Bristol and the terminal at India Point Park in Providence was Friday, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT).

RIDOT officials said ridership data has indicated it is the appropriate time to wind down the service. RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said the service is costing Rhode Island $50,000 per day, while attracting just 300-to-400 passengers, making the service not economically sustainable.

"At the time of the closure, we needed to swiftly pursue all solutions to alleviate traffic, and we did just that," Alviti said. "Now that the bypass lanes are open and conditions have improved, it is appropriate to phase out the ferry service. It is clear from the data that only a very small percentage of commuters utilized this service, and people are overwhelmingly choosing to utilize the bypass lanes."

Ferry services ends at 7 p.m. Friday.

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