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Narragansett council backs quick action plan after businesses, chamber push to revive summer shuttle
Summary
Business leaders and the Chamber told the council the pilot shuttle last year reduced congestion but two businesses should not underwrite it alone; councilors agreed to pursue a short-term summer solution using school-district buses as a pilot and to form a working group to report back.
Local business leaders and the Narragansett Chamber urged the Town Council on July 6 to revive a seasonal shuttle that operated as a pilot last year to ease pier-area parking and employee access.
“We don't have a parking problem. We have a movement problem,” Peg Fredette, executive director of the Narragansett Chamber, said, calling for a coordinated plan involving businesses, the town and the school district. Fredette said two businesses (Coast Guard House and Boone Street Market) led and paid for last year’s pilot and that costs ran under $50,000 for the season but could not be borne by only two sponsors.
Bob Leonard of Coast Guard House and other business representatives told the council the service served employees and patrons and that a short-term summer solution—potentially using school buses—could be implemented quickly if the superintendent and school department agree. “The employees loved it,” Leonard said.
Councilors discussed logistics, liability and funding models including business partnerships, scaled fees by business size, use of town-owned buses, and pursuing grants. Several councilors urged immediate action so employees are supported during the peak season and suggested a subcommittee to coordinate stakeholders and bring a progress report back at the next council meeting.
Why it matters: Pier-area congestion, employee access and neighborhood spillover parking are recurring issues in Narragansett’s summer season. A stable shuttle model could reduce car traffic, limit unsafe parking behaviors, and support local businesses’ staffing needs.
Next steps: Councilors Durkin and McNally agreed to meet with Chamber and business representatives to develop recommendations and report back to the council; staff were asked to explore short-term options for the current summer and longer-term funding strategies including grant opportunities.
