People who work at the new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Johnston now have more commuting options – and possible assistance with transportation costs from their employer.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) this week started new service on Route 10X and Route 28 directly to the Amazon Facility on Hartford Avenue. In the same press release, Amazon announced that it will purchase $90,000 in passes and other fare products every year for the next 10 years to assist employees with transportation costs and help alleviate traffic congestion.

“Expanding public transit access to our Johnston fulfillment center is about more than just getting people to work – it’s about opening doors to opportunity,” said Jonathan Greeley, Amazon’s Economic Development Policy Lead for New England.  “This new extension of RIPTA service will connect more Rhode Islanders with the good-paying jobs and comprehensive benefits that Amazon offers.

“We believe that by improving accessibility, we’re fostering a more inclusive economy and helping to build a stronger, more resilient workforce in Rhode Island,” he said.

Amazon’s 3.8-million-square-foot Johnston facility sits on a hilltop site set back from the road. It opened in November and, at capacity, will employ about 1,500 people.

RIPTA officials said the transit authority is committed to providing Amazon employees with convenient, reliable, and affordable travel options, and that the new service options underscore RIPTA’s mission to expand access to employment centers across the state.  That commitment is outlined in Transit Forward RI 2040, Rhode Island’s comprehensive transit master plan.

Christopher Durand, RIPTA’s Chief Executive Officer, said that the service expansion for Amazon represents “RIPTA’s continued efforts to address workforce mobility.”

“Amazon is a major employer, and we want to ensure that its employees have efficient and affordable access to work,” he said.

RIPTA said it initially launched Route 10X service to Amazon as a pilot in October 2024. The pilot program was monitored for ridership trends and feedback to evaluate its effectiveness and determine the need for any schedule changes.

As of this week, the express service to and from Amazon on Route 10X will be offered during key shift change times at Amazon.  This will provide convenient inbound and outbound connections from Amazon’s Johnston location directly to downtown Providence. Click here for the schedule and more details are below.

RIPTA also has a trip planner on its website, www.ripta.com, which enables passengers to put in their departure and destination locations, and desired travel times, to see what route options are available. An instructional video on using the trip planner can be viewed at www.ripta.com/tripplanner.

Route 10X Service Details

Inbound Service to Downtown Providence:

Morning: The bus will depart Amazon (Johnston) at 5:45 AM and arrive at Kennedy Plaza (Stop X) by 6:00 AM. This schedule aligns with shifts ending at 5:15 AM and 5:30 AM.

Evening: The bus will depart Amazon (Johnston) at 7:00 PM and arrive at Kennedy Plaza (Stop X) by 7:22 PM. This schedule aligns with shifts ending at 6:30 PM and 6:45 PM.

Outbound Service from Downtown Providence:

Morning: The bus will depart Kennedy Plaza (Stop X) at 7:25 AM and arrive at Amazon (Johnston) by 7:45 AM, in time for the 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM shift starts.

Evening: The bus will leave Kennedy Plaza (Stop X) at 6:10 PM, arriving at Amazon (Johnston) by 6:30 PM, in time for the 6:45 PM and 7:00 PM shift starts.

In addition, RIPTA has adjusted the schedule on its Route 28 to accommodate shift times at Amazon. Route 28 will continue to make regular local stops before arriving at Amazon. The frequency of the route has been increased in order to provide Amazon employees trips every 30 minutes, all day. Click here for the schedule.

Route 28 Service Details

Weekday Inbound Service:

Morning: The bus will depart Amazon at 5:14 AM and arrive at Kennedy Plaza at 5:43 AM. The next trip will depart Amazon at 5:44 AM and arrive at 6:13 AM.

Evening: The bus will depart Amazon at 6:39 PM and arrive at Kennedy Plaza at 7:13 PM. The next trip will depart Amazon at 7:12 PM and arrive at 7:43 PM.

Weekday Outbound Service:

Morning: The bus will depart Kennedy Plaza (Stop W) at 7:00 AM and arrive at Amazon at 7:32 AM. The next trip will depart Kennedy Plaza at 7:30 AM and arrive at 8:02 AM.

Evening: The bus will depart Kennedy Plaza (Stop W) at 6:00 PM and arrive at Amazon at 6:31 PM. The next trip will depart at 6:30 PM and arrive at 7:01 PM. 

Saturday Inbound Service:

Morning: There are four morning trips departing Amazon at 5:45 AM, 7:22 AM, 7:55 AM, and 8:36 AM and arriving at Kennedy Plaza at 6:14 AM, 7:51 AM, 8:25 AM and 9:06 AM.

Evening: The bus will depart Amazon at 6:29 PM and arrive at Kennedy Plaza at 7:00 PM. The next trip will depart at 7:09 PM and arrive at 7:40 PM.

Saturday Outbound Service:

Morning: There are three morning trips departing Kennedy Plaza (Stop W) at 6:50 AM, 7:25 AM, and 8:00 AM, arriving at Amazon at 7:19 AM, 7:54 AM and 8:31 AM.  

Evening: The bus will depart Kennedy Plaza (Stop W) at 5:50 PM and will arrive at Amazon at 6:24 PM. The next trip leaves at 6:30 PM and will arrive at 7:04 PM

Sunday Inbound Service:

Morning: The bus will depart Amazon at 5:45 AM and will arrive at Kennedy Plaza at 6:14 AM.  The next trip departs at 7:51 AM and will arrive at 8:20 AM. 

Evening: The bus will depart Amazon at 6:21 PM and will arrive at Kennedy Plaza at 6:51 PM. The next trip will leave at 7:15 PM, arriving at Kennedy Plaza at 7:44 PM.

Sunday Outbound Service:

Morning: The bus will depart Kennedy Plaza (Stop W) at 7:14 AM and will arrive at Amazon at 7:45 AM.  

Evening: The bus will depart Kennedy Plaza (Stop W) at 5:43 PM and will arrive at Amazon at 6:14 PM. The next trip will depart at 6:31 PM and will arrive at 7:01 PM. 

Information compiled by Barbara Polichetti