Providence - Pawtucket interurban

[daveklepper]

I had noted that Providence had an interurban trolleybus line, and this was it.  The first conversion of the Providence system from streetcar to trolleybus was the conversion of two local Pawtucket lines where single-track operation was becoming difficult with increasing auto traffic.  The interurban line to Providence followed, before WWII.  Remaining streetcar lines in Providence were replaced by trolley-buses shortly after WWII, and the system was a model of a well-run TT system.  But corporate raiding followed and conversion to regular bus to realize quick profits, with a bankrupt system taken over by the State Transit Authority.  Now the line has been extended through Providence to the south portion of the city and made "bus rapid transit" with priority traffic-light control and other speedups.

[carnej1]

daveklepper

I had noted that Providence had an interurban trolleybus line, and this was it.  The first conversion of the Providence system from streetcar to trolleybus was the conversion of two local Pawtucket lines where single-track operation was becoming difficult with increasing auto traffic.  The interurban line to Providence followed, before WWII.  Remaining streetcar lines in Providence were replaced by trolley-buses shortly after WWII, and the system was a model of a well-run TT system.  But corporate raiding followed and conversion to regular bus to realize quick profits, with a bankrupt system taken over by the State Transit Authority.  Now the line has been extended through Providence to the south portion of the city and made "bus rapid transit" with priority traffic-light control and other speedups.

 Living in the Providence area I wasn't aware of this. The Rhode Island Public transit Authority does not seem to promote itself very well and i haven't seen them touting any of their services as BRT.

 There was a proposal a few years ago by the then Mayor of Providence (now a Congressman) to build a streetcar system but it went nowhere. Looking at what they wanted to build my thought was that a trolley bus installation may have made more sense given what the proponents wanted to accomplish...

http://www.providenceri.com/efile/5439

[daveklepper]

there seems to be nothing special about the low-floor buses assigned to the line, but they are painted an all-over green with a big R on the side to designate them as something special, and they do have some traffic-light priority control.

[carnej1]

 I would bet that RIPTA is using their newer Gillig BRT hybrid (Diesel- Electric with battery energy recovery and storage system) buses on this route and IINM they are painted in a special livery...

http://www.gillig.com/#!brt/c1752

[daveklepper]

YES