The inaugural weekend of the new Providence-Newport "Seastreak" ferry was met by a demand that was beset by long lines and missed boats -- which the company said will be fixed by Monday when the new reservation system is firmly in place.
The lack of ticket reservations for specific boat times caused dozens of passengers to miss their return trip on the Providence to Newport ferry on Sunday, which the company has said was due to the ticket reservation system being still in testing mode -- which is expected to be operational by Monday.
"We did not anticipate the volume we're getting -- the ticket reservation was still in testing mode, we've completed the testing as of tonight," said John Silvia, Seastreak Operations Manager, on Sunday evening. "So reservations will be taken moving forward."
"Approximately 30 passengers got left behind on the 6:30 ferry on Sunday," said Silvia, of the 149 person passenger boat. "We've had coach service available to any passengers that missed their boats on Sunday."
Silvia noted that twenty passengers who left Providence on the arriving ferry had opted to stay on for the return trip back.
"Starting Monday, people can call for reservations for the specific ferry, and once all those tickets are sold, it will be sold-out," said Silvia. "If you miss your ferry, you can exchange your ticket for a time when there is availability."
"We were amazed at the number of people who turned out," said Silvia.
The Seastreak Facebook page was filled with pictures and mostly positive reviews, but some passengers were left disgruntled.
"You guys better get your reservation service in order or I wish you a fast and painful going out of business," wrote one passenger. "We spent three hours waiting in line so we wouldn't get stranded in Newport. What a waste!"
Ginger Denneny of Seekonk, Massachusetts, was one of the passengers returning from Newport to Providence that was impacted by the overcrowding.
"Going down, we got to the ferry in Providence around 11:15 for the 12:30 ferry -- and they'd sold nearly a hundred tickets by then," said Denneny. "There looked like there was a line waiting, but then people who were waiting under the tent just rushed over when the boat got there. There wasn't any order."
"So we had a great afternoon in Newport, I've never seen it that crowded," said Denneny. "So coming back, we thought we'd better get there well before 5 for the 6:30 ferry. Well, the line was so long, we said forget it -- we're never getting on."
"We went over to see about catching a RIPTA bus, and we saw the one to Providence that was just pulling out. There was a young man walking with us who said he'd ask the driver to wait for us, so he went up and got on -- but the bus driver didn't wait for us and pulled out of the lot," said Denneny.
Denneny said that she called a family member to get a ride back to Providence.
Governor on Kickoff
"This ferry offers Rhode Islanders and tourists alike a great new way to take advantage of all that Newport and Providence have to offer," Governor Gina Raimondo said. "We are adding a convenient transportation option to help beat traffic during the busy summer tourism season, connecting two world-class cities for eating and exploring, and better utilizing one of our state's greatest assets - Narraganset Bay. I'm excited to try out the ride with my family this summer, and hope to see many other families on board enjoying our great state."
Related Slideshow: 15 July 4th Experiences Every Rhode Islander Should Enjoy
Pre-Party by Celebrating the Burning of the Gaspee
Forget Brexit, Rhode Island had the original big break. And every year, our 4th of July actually unofficially starts sooner than most.
The parade might have happened already this year -- but if you've never been, you need to begin your Independence Day celebrating just a little earlier next year. The importance of the burning of the Gaspee is right there with (maybe a little ahead of) Bunker Hill and Lexington and Concord. At some point, if you can, hoist a cold one - whether it's Del’s or a Gansett -- in honor of the importance of the much celebrated West Bay civil disobedience a couple hundred years plus ago.
Rhode Island was the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain - the smallest state in the union showed their revolutionary side by setting fire to the Gaspee, a British customs schooner. Ours is the original Independence Day.
Think about it - they have the collection of the work of shell fishing, coupled with Portuguese sausage and a legacy going back to the Narragansetts.
Here are a few of the best places to Quahog in Rhode Island - CLICK HERE
Nothing could be more of a Rhode Island original and the perfect appetizer for the 4th of July weekend. So get your "stuffie" on (unless you're allergic to any of the ingredients, then our condolences).
Made in America Really Started as Made in RI -- the American Industrial Revolution
Pawtucket is the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
The Slater Mill, built in 1793 on the banks of the Blackstone River, was the first fully mechanized cotton-spinning mill in America.
Take a tour this weekend -- or at some point soon if you haven't, they do great ghost tours in the fall -- and remember all the Rhode Islanders who innovated and languished in the mill economy. It's part of the fabric of who we are today.
What's More Patriotic Than a Sandwich Called a Dynamite?
This is the sandwich that is the epitome of, "You know you're from Woonsocket when you know how to eat a dynamite sandwich."
The sandwich is king in the old French-Canadian town and available in all the best old diners around town. Consisting of ground beef, celery, onions, and green peppers, dynamite sandwiches may look like a Sloppy Joe to the untrained eye, but locals know it as so much more.
Recognize We Can Vent - a Lot - and No One Can Stop Us
One of the great things about America (and we are especially good at it in Rhode Island) is we get to complain about any little, or big, thing - our President, the Governor, traffic, the weather, the media (some days especially the media) and anything else we can think of.
We have freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
In many countries around the world, those freedoms have far greater limitations. In some countries making certain comments get you jailed.
In this day and age of the discussion and debate on immigration, most Rhode Islanders trace their roots back to being immigrants here, whether from hundreds of years ago or much more recently.
From Narragansett Beach, to the Wampanoag Trail, to Neutaconkanut Hill, there are constant reminders of those tribes here long before Rhode Island became Rhode Island.
The legacy of Rhode Island’s freedom starts in part with the teachings and leadership of Roger Williams set the tone for Rhode Island and the establishment of Providence.
In 1636, Williams left Salem and settled which Williams called “Providence.” He had purchased some land from members of the Massasoit tribe in what is now East Providence. “Williams, banished from Massachusetts for his beliefs, founded Providence in 1636. This colony served as a refuge where all could come to worship as their conscience dictated without interference from the state," says the National Park Service.
So take a ride over to South Main Street to the memorial, or the iconic statue overlooking the city at Prospect Park.
State Archives Exhibition Lets You Experience RI in 1776
So while you can't do it this weekend, think about doing it sometime soon during the week.
Students of history young and old can explore the exhibit which chronicles what were the emerging hostilities with Britain in the run-up to the Revolutionary War, the issuance of the Declaration of Independence, and Rhode Island’s response. Items include:
A first Newport printing of the Declaration of Independence, sent by order of the General Assembly to Rhode Island towns.
A letter from General George Washington to Governor Nicholas Cooke requesting arms for the Revolutionary Army.
The July 19, 1776 Act officially naming our colony the “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.”
The Rhode Island State Archives, a division of the RI Department of State, is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 at 337 Westminster Street in downtown Providence. Validated parking is available adjacent to the building at InTown Parking.
One thing Rhode Island has the U.S. ownership of is the birthplace of "Freedom of Religion" -- and one place to see the history of it is at Newport's Touro Synagogue, New England's first.
Each year, more than 30,000 visitors cross the synagogue threshold in Newport, R.I. to pray, to see its magnificent interior and to hear its remarkable story.
It is the oldest and the best 4th of July Parade in America. What makes it better than all other parades is its true New England authenticity.
It is a Rhode Island experience not to be missed. If you don't know someone to join a porch party - or stay over - make a plan incorporating travel and parking time, and exhale once you see the red, white, and blue lines on the road. You're in for some festive fun.
If America is the World's Melting Pot, then Rhode Island Is...
Rhode Island is diversity on top of diversity. We have it all, or if not, or just about all of it. We are all immigrants and collectively are from most every corner of the world.
And we have the food to prove it. So enjoy it all this weekend. It is a three-day one, so do the burger, dogs, or tofu patties, but then visit Federal Hill or hit Los Andes for stuffed lobster paella.
This weekend's fireworks range from small towns like Sctuate on Sunday to the big displays like Providence on Monday night. Regardless where you live in the state, there are fireworks less than 15 minutes from your home. And if not - pack a bag.
It is a beautiful weekend, but one element that has always separated America from the rest of the world was as Alexis de Tocqueville wrote:
"I must say that I have seen Americans make a great deal of real sacrifices to the public welfare; and have noticed a hundred instances in which they hardly ever failed to lend a faithful support to one another."
Fly the American flag, and add Rhode Island's flag just lower, and celebrate the birth of our nation and Rhode Island's legacy. Today, while our country is not and will not be perfect, it offers an amazing opportunity to so many to experience so much.
We should continue to strive to be the best state in the best country in the world.
