By SANDY McGEE

PAWTUCKET — Tickets are still available for the “bus trip for change,” an opportunity to witness the historical inauguration of the country's 44th president.

The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is currently selling tickets for a bus trip to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, which will be held on Jan. 20 in the nation's capital. Tickets will provide residents with the chance to attend the inauguration of Vice President Joe Biden and the nation's first African-American president, Barack Obama.
“Seldom in a lifetime does an occasion of such high importance claim such a prominent position in history,” according to a press release from the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. “On Jan. 20, the inauguration of America's 44th president is just such an occasion.
“There was so much excitement about the election, especially from a lot of young people in our office seeking a change in government,” said Robert Billington, executive director of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. “That's why we decided to organize this trip.”
Tickets are $139 each and includes reserved round trip seats on a chartered luxury motorcoach, maps of the D.C. Metrorail system and a commemorative inauguration fleece scarf.
While the ticket covers transportation expenses, it does not include seats at the inauguration or subway passes. Attendants will be able to travel to the parade route or the Mall.
Attendants of the day trip will also witness history, according to tourism council officials.
“It's a once in a lifetime event,” said Natalie Carter, director of operations for the tourism council. “We thought people in the Blackstone Valley would like to go to it. It really is history in the making.”
About 20 to 30 people have currently signed up to attend. There are plenty of seats left, according to officials.
The motorcoach will depart on Jan. 19 at 10 p.m. from the Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence, and arrive in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20 around 5 a.m.
In Washington, D.C., trip attendants will be able to leave the motorcoach and travel to either the Mall or parade route via the city's Metrorail system.
“They (attendants) will be a part of it, history, just by being there,” Billington said. “There will be so much going on.”
The motorcoach will depart from the capital on Jan. 20 at 10 p.m. and is expected to return to the Convention Center in Providence on Jan. 21 around 5 a.m.
Parking is available at the Rhode Island Convention Center and in downtown Providence for additional costs.
The seven hour drive will include various stops along the way, according to organizers.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council's Web site at www.tourblackstone.com or call (401) 724-2200.
This ticket does not include admission to or seats at the inauguration. For background and information about the inauguration, visit www.inaugural.senate.gov.
Fees for the Washington, D.C., Metrorail are also not included in the trip. For more information about the Metrorail or fee information, visit www.wmata.com.
The trip is sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, located at 175 Main St., Pawtucket.