Commuter Rail Opens Expansion Line To Southern RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The head of the U.S. Department of Transportation will be on hand to mark the expansion of commuter rail service to North Kingstown.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed plan to celebrate the opening of the new Wickford Junction commuter rail station on Monday.

Trains will run Monday through Friday from Wickford north to Warwick, Providence and Boston on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Providence-Stoughton line. The service will offer 20 trips a day, and fares will vary depending on destination.

The new station features a coffee shop and a four-story parking garage. It will be linked to public bus service.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.