Newport This Week

Vets Offered Free Rides to Moving Wall


Newport Jitney sponsor Sean Napolitano, left, enjoys the open-air ride of a low-speed vehicle with drivers Bruce Aldrich and Wick Rudd. The LSVs are also solar powered. (Photo by Jen Carter) )

Newport Jitney sponsor Sean Napolitano, left, enjoys the open-air ride of a low-speed vehicle with drivers Bruce Aldrich and Wick Rudd. The LSVs are also solar powered. (Photo by Jen Carter) )

Newport Jitney is offering free rides to Vietnam veterans to and from the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall monument when it comes to Touro Park on Sept. 19.

The company will have two lowspeed open-air vehicles available to vets that can accommodate eight and six passengers, respectively, daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m., weather permitting.

The company has been providing free, advertiser-supported rides all summer, according to Wick Rudd, a spokesperson for the organization and an occasional driver.

During the day, many trips are along the Cliff Walk, Ledge Road and 40 Steps. In the evenings, they can be seen shuttling people from hotels to dinner or just bopping around town.

“These are not golf carts. We had to get state legislation first, then City Council approval last year. We are the only low-speed vehicles in the state with license plates,” Rudd said. “We will continue to provide free rides through October, and maybe November, weather permitting.”

The service for veterans and others is run in conjunction with primary sponsor, AI Roofing & Construction.

“We are proud of the service these free rides have been providing to visitors and local Newporters alike,” Rudd said. “Riding the streets of Newport in an open-air LSV is a fun and unique experience.

It is a model that works for everyone, and would not be possible without the support of our advertisers.”

Advertisers include La Forge Casino Restaurant, Newport Craft Beer and Distillers, and Hammetts Wharf Hotel. ­­– James Merolla

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