Situated in the 1,214-square-mile state of Rhode Island, Providence is a densely populated city that’s full of history, culture, beautiful scenery, and things to do. As one of the oldest cities in the United States, you’ll find cobblestone streets and architecture with a European look. If you’re new to the area, you may be wondering if you need a car, considering the city is so compact.
Getting around Providence without a car is entirely possible thanks to the small geographical size of the city, the public transportation available, and ride-sharing services. As with any city, the further out of the city center you are, the less convenient the public transportation becomes (with some exceptions).
Public Transportation in Providence
Providence’s system of public transit is known as the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and offers bus service throughout the state at affordable rates. The system has major transit centers which operate as hubs that have different routes available.
Aside from the bus system, Providence also has rail service from Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor route, which connects riders to Boston and Washington DC. Providence also has rail service from the MBTA, which offers round-trip routes from Boston to downtown Providence and Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport as well.
Walkability & Bike Friendliness
Providence has a walk score of 76, making it a very walkable city that allows residents to be able to complete most errands on foot. Keep in mind that the further out of the city center you are, the less walkable it may be due to not having as many shops or businesses in close proximity to each other. However, if you are in the downtown area, plenty of people are able to do what they need to do without a car.
So, what about if you’re commuting via bike? While Providence may not score as well when it comes to bike-friendliness, it does have bike lanes throughout the city, with more in development as part of an initiative to include more forms of non-car transportation.
Ride-Sharing Services in Providence
If you prefer to use ride-sharing services, you can use apps like Uber or Lyft to get around for relatively reasonable rates, as you don’t typically need to drive a long distance to get where you need to be. You’ll get to your destination faster than if you were to take public transportation, but you’ll get more bang for your buck by using the city’s public transit system.
Wrapping Up
You can definitely get around Providence without a car – and there are a variety of options available to you that help you do that. Staying closer to the city center will make being car-free easier, and once you learn the transit system and routes, you’ll be able to get to your destinations easily. If you’re planning to live outside of the downtown area, you may have a bit more difficulty with the public transit routes, especially if you’re not near a major transit center.
Providence is a charming city with a variety of historic sites and an excellent education system. If you’re ready to start planning your move, one of the most essential things to do in advance is to find and book a moving company, especially if you’re going to do a long-distance move. Not all moving companies are equal, and finding the right company to work with can be the difference between your items getting transported in a timely manner or experiencing delays, issues, or even damaged furniture.
At Isaac’s Moving and Storage, we’re happy to help you make your Providence move as smooth as possible. We’re based in the New England area and offer local, long-distance, and international moving services. With over 30 years of business and 100,000 customers served, you can be sure that you’re getting quality service with industry-certified movers.
Our offices manage every move personally, and we’ll make sure that your furniture and household items get to your new destination without any issues. You’ll have movers who receive the most extensive training in the industry to ensure the proper handling of your items.
Ready to get a free estimate and begin your move to Providence? Contact us today.
