Commuter Rail Train Station Opens In Pawtucket-Central Falls

PAWTUCKET, RI — The new train station for Pawtucket-Central Falls opened in Rhode Island, connecting the cities to Providence, Boston and more with the MBTA Commuter Rail.

Gov. Dan McKee will ride the train from Providence to the Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center at 9 a.m., Monday, to officially welcome the new station. Joining Governor McKee on the inaugural ride will be members of the congressional delegation, as well as state and local officials.

State officials said the new station will allow riders to easily switch between RIPTA buses and MBTA trains while mitigating traffic congestion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The new station supplements three other Rhode Island stations (Providence, T.F. Green and Wickford Junction) serviced by the MBTA, with numerous stops in Massachusetts on the route to South Station in Boston. The MBTA will make 40 weekday and 18 weekend stops at the new Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center.

Along with the rail service, the new bus hub built next to the train station serves bus commuters in the Pawtucket, Central Falls and the Blackstone Valley area with RIPTA's 1, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78, 80, QX and the R-Line stopping at the station.

Adjacent to the station, Rhode Island Department of Transportation is operating a 200-car parking lot, and RIPTA will operate restroom facilities. Radar-enhanced pedestrian detection crosswalks link the parking lot, bus hub and train station.