Amtrak Offering Connecting Bus from New Bedford to Providence for Train Passengers

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Amtrak has launched a connecting bus service to New Bedford to bring passengers to its Providence train station.

Amtrak announced the new service Thursday, along with a similar service launching in Worcester. The New Bedford service will run from the Seastreak ferry terminal on the waterfront, according to the Amtrak website.

The new bus service will open up access for New Bedford-area residents to the Providence station, which serves the Northeast Corridor that includes Boston, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

It will also connect passengers to more than 500 destinations nationwide, Amtrak said in a release.

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It is called the “thruway” service, and involves one ticket for the entire journey, with one price. There will be connecting buses available in the morning, afternoon and evening, on both weekdays and weekends, and the bus will also stop in Fall River.

“Amtrak’s latest connecting bus service will bring a brand-new link from New Bedford and close an existing gap in Worcester with convenient, timed connections between trains and buses to Providence and our national network,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Strategy and Planning Dennis Newman.

“Customers can enjoy a comfortable journey from start to finish knowing Amtrak will get them to their final destination with ease," he said.

The bus service will be operated by DATTCO under an agreement with Amtrak. It will utilize buses that are ADA accessible and have electrical outlets, WiFi and reclining seats.

“DATTCO is pleased to have been selected for the launch of this important new regional service being introduced by Amtrak,” said Dennis Lyons, Vice President of DATTCO’s Coach & Tour Group.

“As a long-time bus partner of Amtrak in New England, we look forward to putting our more than 20 years of experience together to work in delivering connecting bus service between Central and South Coastal Massachusetts and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor," he said.

Tickets can be purchased at Amtrak.com, via the Amtrak app or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.

With Amtrak now connecting New Bedford to the Providence train station, and with South Coast Rail set to begin service between the city and Boston by the end of the year, the Whaling City is on the verge of being connected to a vast rail network both in New England and beyond.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell “views the bus service as a positive development that complements the City’s other transportation initiatives,” Chief of Staff Neil Mello told WBSM.