INSIDE TRACK ~ TIP SHEET FOR OUR FRIENDS
Hours of Operation: Kingston Station is open daily 6am to 10:45pm for ticket sales for all 18 trains ~ Parking is Free and unattended
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All Amtrak trains are reserved and all passengers must have photo identification
over the age of 18. Students may save 15% with a student advantage card or 10%
with a AAA card by making reservations at least three days before travel. http://www.studentadvantage.com/
to join.
How to make a reservation: Call in / log in / or walk in. To
call in a reservation 1-800-872-7245. You will be greeted by Julie for a voice
response dialog. If you wish to bypass this you may say “agent”
or dial O and be directed to a live reservationist. [TIP: Ask about promotions.]
If you are internet savvy you may make your own reservations at http://www.amtrak.com/
. [TIP: Click on site map/hot deals.] Are you near a travel agent? [TIP: Most
travel agents and AAA locations can make your reservations.
Saving on your trip: When making the reservation indicate your
preference of discount.[Tips: below]
Here are some of the membership discounts that require at least three day advance
booking. Student Advantage, AAA, NARP, Veterans Advantage. See the Amtrak website
for full details. Non membership discounts such as senior ( 62 and over) and
active duty military do not require three day advance.
There is no fee for making reservations on Amtrak. However, if you wish to advance
pay your tickets you will be assured of your seats right up to the train departure
time. Advise the booking agent that you wish to advance pay with your credit
card or debit card. You will be given a confirmation number to bring with you
to the station. Please do not call into the stations for reservation requests.
All questions, information, train status reports, and reservations are handled
by phone at 1-800-872-7245. Trains do sometimes sell out during peak travel
times, best to be prepare & protect your seats!
Arriving at Station:
Hours of Operation: Kingston Station is open daily 6am to 10:45pm* for
ticket sales for all 18 trains ~
When you arrive at the station you will need your confirmation number and a
positive photo ID. You must arrive at the station in time to do business thirty
minutes before train time. Please do not show up at train departure time
with great expectations. It takes a full five minutes to navigate over
to track one side for southbound trains. Parking is free and unattended and
nearby the elevator and stairway. Passengers only are allowed on the trains
but helpers may assist passengers to and from the train. Kingston station is
open for all departing trains, has one agent & no baggage or red-cap service.
The station is owned by RIDOT and is fully ADA compliant. Wheelchair ramps are
at the forward end platforms at the first coach of the train, high level platform,
also boarding are for business car.
Station door is locked at 11pm. Agents at Kingston make every effort to be certain passengers have rides. Stranded persons are attended by South Kingstown Police at the non-emergency number available by # 401-783-3321. Emergency or fire alerts should be called into #911.
Parking Questions: Frequently Asked Questions
RIDOT owned providing free unattended parking for the stations transportation
uses. Mass transit, automobile, bus, train, bike, and pedestrian users permitted.
Overflow parking north of Rt. 138 overpass should the parking area be full.
Kingston Station was the first demonstration project federally funded under
the ISTEA legislation in 1992. Due to the foresight of the Friends of Kingston
Station working with RIDOT, RIPTA, Amtrak, and Rhode Island political powers,
the station was prepared as a model intermodal candidate. [TIP: Parking is not
guard protected, however the local police make routine patrols. Please lock
your vehicle and put valuables away.
OVERFLOW PARKING: When lot fills, overflow parking is allowed on the north side
of the RT 138 bridge at the entrance to the station on the unpaved area and
adjacent to the highway bridge. The distance to the station about the same as
from the paved lot at the rear of the station. There is no fee for parking at
Kingston Station. Note: The Friends of Kingston Station Inc., a non-profit volunteer
citizens group overseeing the station since 1974 as been in regular contact
with the RIDOT about parking concerns at Kingston Station. Recommendations have
been made to advance parking alternatives for immediate short term and for long
term scenarios. All parties, including the Amtrak the tenant, are aware of the
increased parking demands that are being made at the Kingston Station having
seen a more than doubling of passengers since 1998. More parking information
and what the Friends are doing to lobby and support it. Friends board queried
by Narrgansett Times. http://www.narragansetttimes.com/content/view/75012/
Friends board interviewed by South County Independent: http://www.scindependent.com/articles/2007/08/30/local/cstory.txt
Town Council remarks in the Providence Journal: http://www.projo.com/ri/southkingstown/content/SC_SKTC18_12-18-07_Q389TUB_v12.2a6ebfa.html
BIKE PATH PARKING LOT * [ Yet to be constructed ]
During the planning phases throughout the 1990’s, the catch basin area
at the end of the station lot was set aside for eventual future use for the
bike path parking area. Currently bike path users are invited to use station
parking spaces at the south end of the lot when they are available. Construction
of a bike path lot may occur during the reconstruction of Routh 138. See RIDOT
web site or contact them at their web site.
---- We hope you will enjoy your trip and realize the full benefits of traveling
by train with Amtrak!
Ridership at Kingston Station: A few Kingston, RI facts from Amtrak.com:
FY06 = 135,796 (On & off)
This number exceeds on & off in each of the following 20 states and is
8% over FY05~
(In {1,000s} for FY06 psgrs.) ---- Ala {36}, Ariz {75}, Ark {27}, Idaho {6},
Indiana {109}, Iowa {61}, Kansas {37}, KY {8}, Louisiana {128}, Miss {82}, Nebr
{45}, Nev {84}, N Mex. {108}, N Dak. {115}, Ohio {68}, Okla. {68}, Tenn. {47},
Utah {32}, Vermont {65}, W Va {65}
.
SAFETY IS EVERYONES BUSINESS - STAY BACK! STAY AWAY! STAY ALIVE!
[ 2004-2005 FAQ was replaced on 2007.03.03, and updated 2007.09.20 by JPM/ media and communications for the Friends of Kingston Station] kingstonstation [at] cox.net
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