Fifty New Accessible Vans Hit City Streets

Providence, RI · September 13, 2026

Keep the umbrella by the door today — steady downpours will test your rain gear, whether you are braving the puddles for fried clams or staying firmly on the couch.

The Lead

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is deploying 50 new Model 1 Frontrunner vans across the metro area, completing a major $12 million upgrade to its RIde paratransit fleet. Backed by $9.7 million in federal infrastructure funding alongside state matching dollars, the vehicles replace an aging roster of vans that frequently suffered mechanical breakdowns and service delays.

Unlike traditional paratransit shuttles that rely on slow hydraulic lifts, the new vans use low-floor layouts with kneeling suspension and fold-out manual ramps. That means wheelchair users and passengers with mobility devices can board directly from the curb in seconds.

The larger, agency-owned fleet also reduces RIPTA’s reliance on subcontracted commercial taxis to meet daily demand, giving dispatchers tighter control over scheduling. Reservationists have already begun routing the first batch of vans to transport local riders to medical appointments, workplaces, and grocery centers.

Local Pulse

Flood Watch In Effect Through This Afternoon The National Weather Service warns heavy rain bands could produce two to four inches, causing localized street flooding.
New Italian Eatery Debuts on Federal Hill Pat's Italian Restaurant opens its doors this week, bringing classic homestyle pasta and entrees to the historic neighborhood.
Design Week RI Showcases Local Creative Sector Creative studios and makers across town host exhibitions, tours, and public workshops celebrating local craftsmanship through Friday.

Today's Outlook

High 71°F · Low 62°F — Rain (90% chance of precipitation)
- Grab an umbrella and raincoat today for persistent showers and mild temperatures.

What's On Around Town

Bristol: Raptor Weekend Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium (1401 Hope St), 9:30 AM–4:00 PM Meet live owls, hawks, and falcons at an annual wildlife celebration.
Rhode Island Seafood Festival India Point Park, 11:00 AM–7:00 PM Steamed lobster, clam cakes, and live waterfront music wrap up the weekend.
Summer Flea in the Park 195 District Park, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM Browse vintage treasures, handmade crafts, and local food trucks outdoors.
All-Ages Family Day Free Play Bar Arcade (182 Pine St), 12:00–4:00 PM Classic retro pinball and arcade games open to all ages without tokens.
US Open Watch Party Track 15 Food Hall (1 Union Station), 2:00–5:00 PM Catch championship tennis on big screens with local food and drinks.

Spotlight & Story

Westminster Street
- Before it was downtown's central shopping corridor, the roadway was christened by 18th-century West Side residents hoping to secede from Providence altogether. Chafing under East Side colonial governance, they planned an independent city named Westminster—the secession failed, but the London-inspired name remained.

Providence Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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