What a year! We can hardly believe 2017 is coming to a close. This year, we have had many important milestones including the addition of new compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to our bus fixed-route bus fleet, the preparations for our transition to The Wave e-fare system and the successful passing of our operating millage. Take a look back at some of the top Get on Board blog posts from 2017.
We can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for us!
As 2017 comes to an end, many of you are likely setting goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re planning on a big resolution or smaller, more manageable ones, the feat of sticking to these intentions isn’t always easy. What if we told you that riding the bus could be the much-needed solution to sticking to your New Year’s resolutions?
OK—We may be a little biased, but hear us out. Are you trying to stay more active? What about saving money? Riding the bus can be your secret weapon to sticking to those resolutions. Riding the bus, even just once a week, is a simple and effective way to stick to your goals for 2018.
Here are some reasons to get on board to achieve a variety of resolutions:
If you live and work within The Rapid’s service area, cut down on monthly car costs by riding The Rapid for your commute. Whether you choose to purchase a 7-Day Pass or 10-Ride Ticket, you’re going to save big on what you would typically spend in fuel costs.Find out just how much you could save by switching to public transit via the Transit Savings Calculator.
The Rapid partners with the City of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. to offer a free downtown shuttle service called DASH. Riding the bus or DASH shuttles means you won’t have to deal with the cost–and hassle–of parking. Two DASH routes connect Downtown to the Westside and Monroe North. These circulator routes connect to parking lots to allow you to park once and ride for free to your destination.
For those who don’t live and work within The Rapid’s service area, don’t fret! We also offer carpool and bikepool matching services and a vanpooling program through West Michigan Rideshare. These ride-sharing options are a great way to save money, cut down on commuting stress and do the environment a favor.
If getting in shape is in your plans for the new year, riding the bus is a simple way to increase your daily exercise. In fact, studies show that those who ride public transit get more than three times the amount of physical activity per day than non-riders.
Walking–or running, because we’ve all done it–to the bus stop is an easy way to sneak in extra steps every day. Start by using our “Nearest Stop” tool on ridetherapid.org to find the nearest bus stop to your home or workplace.
Looking to impact the environment in 2018? While you should add more walking and biking to your routine, riding the bus can still help you be more green. Every day, public transportation saves the equivalent of 900,000 tanks of gas every day. In the U.S., public transportation saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually. Aside from these benefits, taking the bus also means there’s one less car on the road and positively impacts congestion.
If you’re feeling extra green, cut out your car altogether or consider downgrading to just one car in your household. This will have a significant impact on the environment and big cost savings!
Become a tourist in your own city. Riding the bus (literally) offers you a window to your community. While you’re traveling to your destination you have a chance to enjoy your surroundings, which often leads to finding new businesses and locations to visit. Rather than focusing on the road while you drive, you’re able to discover a new restaurant or cafe.
Aside from finding new local spots to check out, riding the bus may also mean meeting a new friend. Many riders say they feel more connected to their neighborhood and community through taking the bus.
Stressed and busy? Let’s change that in 2018. Sometimes taking a little time for yourself can be just what you need in your day. When you ride the bus you have time to enjoy a podcast, listen to your favorite music, knit or even reflect on the day ahead. Passengers continually share how much their extra downtime on the bus means to them.
Happy New Year and happy riding! We can’t wait to see you on board.
Happy Holidays! We are wishing a safe and joyous journey to all of you celebrating this season.
We wanted to remind you all of the following holiday service changes:
College & University Holiday Schedules
| Grand Valley State University | ||
| Monday, December 18, 2017 through Friday, December 22, 2017 |
Break Service | |
| Saturday, December 23, 2017 through Monday, January 1, 2018 |
No Service | |
| Tuesday, January 2, 2018 through Sunday, January 7, 2018 |
Break Service | |
| Grand Rapids Community College | ||
| Monday, December 18, 2017 through Sunday, January 7, 2018 |
No Service | |
| Ferris State University | ||
| Monday, December 18, 2017 through Tuesday, January 2, 2018 |
No Service | |
| Resume regular service on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 | ||
| Grand Rapids Public Schools | ||
| Friday, December 22, 2017 | Half Day | |
| Monday, December 25, 2017 through Friday, January 5, 2018 |
No School | |
The Rapid will not run service on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All service will run as normal on December 24 and December 31 prior to these holidays. To view our full list of holidays without service, visit https://www.ridetherapid.org/schedules-maps/holiday-service.
Did you know? One in five Michigan kids is affected by hunger. Kent County alone has 28,700 children that are considered “food insecure.” Kids’ Food Basket is leading the way to ensure that kids in our community don’t miss any meals.
Each and every weekday Kids’ Food Basket and their many volunteers are serving children across West Michigan with healthy sack suppers.
In fact, this non-profit is poised for growth and doing so much good that they’ve recently purchased land for a move to a larger facility. One crucial factor that impacted the location is public transportation access. On average, Kids’ Food Basket’s has about 175 volunteers per day and many of them ride the bus to get to their shifts.
Find out how Kids’ Food Basket and their wonderful team of volunteers are making a difference in a child’s life.
Feeling motivated to help make a difference in your community? Kids’ Food Basket has locations in Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon. For more information on volunteer opportunists and more, visit kidsfoodbasket.org.
On December 9, 2017, The Rapid Board announced it had reached agreement on a new three-year contract with the labor union representing the public transportation system’s bus operators and maintenance workers.
The Rapid Board of Directors ratified the agreement during their monthly meeting on Saturday morning. That ratification followed the acceptance of the proposed agreement by voting members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 836 (ATUGR) on Thursday, December 7.
“This is a positive outcome for our workers and the taxpayers in our partner communities,” said Peter Varga, CEO of The Rapid. “We have worked hard to craft a contract that is beneficial to our employees, maintains an outstanding level of service to our customers and continues The Rapid’s legacy of responsible fiscal stewardship.”
The contract includes a three percent pay raise for all bus operators and a three and a half percent raise for all maintenance employees in the first year of the agreement. Both groups will receive annual increases of two percent in the following two years of the contract. The Rapid will also pay 80 percent of all health insurance premiums for union workers and will establish a new defined contribution retirement plan. The retirement plan will replace the existing pension plan and will establish a sustainable fiscal approach for the workers’ retirement fund and the transit organization.
“We are very pleased that our dedicated employees will receive these increased wage and benefit contributions and have the peace of mind that comes with having a ratified contract,” said The Rapid’s Board Chair Barbara Holt. “We value their hard work and recognize the important role these workers play in the delivery of public transportation services to the Grand Rapids area.”
The previous labor agreement expired in July 2015. The new contract will take effect upon final execution of the agreement between both parties.
You can review the full Rapid Board Agenda here.
Hunting down the perfect gift for everyone on your list this season doesn’t have to be a hassle. We have something that your co-workers, friends and family members will love. Transit is the gift that keeps on giving!
The Rapid offers a number of different fare types and purchase options to best meet your needs when using the fixed-route system or GO!Bus. Whether it’s a 31-Day Pass or just a 10-Ride Ticket, transit makes a suitable gift for everyone on your list.
Day passes offer unlimited rides within the timeframe after activated upon first use. While the 10-Ride Ticket is a great option for less frequent riders to keep on hand for transit access when it’s most convenient for them.
You can purchase your gift of transit online, on board The Rapid, at the Information Center at Rapid Central Station or at ticket vending machines at Silver Line Stations and Rapid Central Station. A variety of retail outlets also offer Rapid tickets including Meijer, D&W Fresh Markets and Family Fare. You can pick one up while you’re out doing your other holiday shopping.
Bus passes make fantastic stocking stuffers, and they also pair well with offer gifts. Consider purchasing a bus pass to accompany event tickets or restaurant gift cards. You can also pair a bus pass with a reusable shopping tote or umbrella. If you’re looking to go above and beyond for someone you love, you can also purchase an entire year’s worth of transit in advance with just 12 bus passes.
For those who enjoy giving back during the holiday season, many local non-profits accept Rapid bus passes. For instance, the Women’s Resource Center, Mel Trotter Ministries, YWCA of West Central Michigan and HQ.
The gift of transit comes with numerous benefits. Riding The Rapid reduces congestion and improves air quality, creates economic vitality for our region, makes our community a better place to live, work and play — and it helps save you money. Check out our helpful fuel savings calculator to find out just how much you can save riding transit.
Don’t let the unseasonable weather fool you. The holiday season is upon us!
Get in a festive mood by partaking in all the holiday events that the Greater Grand Rapids area has to offer. There’s something in store for everyone! Whether you’re hoping to find the perfect gift for a loved one or bringing your little ones to see Santa, there’s no shortage of activities this time of year. The best part is that many of these holiday festivities are transit-friendly, which only adds to the magic of the holiday season.
Ride with us to these December events:
On Dec. 7, ride The Rapid or DASH to experience the magic of the season! The Market Hall will be featuring special offers, delicious food and beverage demos, as well as Santa awaiting your wish list in the greenhouse. During this event, you can also visit the Holiday Artisan Market featuring a variety of vendors. Winter Wonderland is a free, family-friendly event.
Routes 1, 2, 5 and the Silver Line can get you there.
The Uptown Holiday Shop Hop is back on Dec. 7! In its 20th year, this annual event will ensure everyone on your holiday shopping list gets a present. Ride The Rapid to get to one of Uptown’s districts and then use the Shop Hop shuttles to travel around to visit more than 150 participating businesses. Don’t forget warm clothes and your reusable shopping totes! This event is free to attend and fun for everyone seeking to explore, shop and snack.
Routes 4, 5, 6, 14 can get you to Uptown.
Grand Rapids’ first-ever Yule Ball is taking place this year at 20 Monroe Live on Dec. 7. Gather with other Harry Potter fans to enjoy musical performances by Joe Hertler and The Rainbow Seekers, photobooths, a Horcrux hunt, live owls and more. This is a 21+ event and tickets are $20.
Routes 1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15 and more can get you there.
Ride with us to Kentwood to get in the spirit of the season with a tree lighting and holiday parade! This event takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 8 and features hayrides, hot chocolate, cookies, live music, caroling and a special visitor from the North Pole. This is a free, family-friendly event.
Ride Routes 2 and 44 to get to the Kentwood Public Library.
The Nutcracker at DeVos Performance Hall is a magical experience you won’t want to miss. This performance features live music from the Grand Rapids Symphony and ballet from Grand Rapids Ballet. Get tickets for performances on Dec. 8-10.
Routes SL, 11, 13, 50 can get you there.
Every day leading up to Christmas you can visit Woodland Mall to meet Santa! You can even plan ahead and book your visit with Santa to avoid the lines. Make the most out of this adventure by riding The Rapid to bring your children to see Santa.
Routes 5, 6, 17, 24, 28 and 44 can get you to Woodland Mall.
Ring in the holiday cheer from Dec. 15 – 17 with heartwarming, seasonal favorites like Sleigh Ride and Twas the Night Before Christmas. This family-friendly event is perfect for those seeking to sing along and enjoy the season. Individual tickets are $18 and student tickets are $5. This concert takes place at DeVos Performance Hall.
Routes SL, 11, 13, 50 can get you there.
Grab your ice skates and ride The Rapid to Downtown Grand Rapids for a skate around Rosa Parks Circle. You can even purchase a season pass for just $50 for adults and $20 for youth.
Routes 6, 9, 11, 13, 50 and the Silver Line can get you to Rosa Parks Circle.
Get motivated today to make an impact on your community! We’re partnering with FOX 17 to bring you a new segment that features local organizations, businesses and stories of good things happening throughout the Greater Grand Rapids area. It’s our hope that we can inspire more good to take place.
This past week, we featured an organization that’s empowering women in the community and giving them vital resources. The Women’s Resource Center advocates for women to achieve economic independence through meaningful employment. Through the Women’s Resource Center, gain access to tools to better their lives. From giving employment and personal advice to helping them put together a resume, to outfitting women for an interview, there are a variety of important programs available.
The Women’s Resource Center is located at 678 Front Avenue NW. Learn more about what this wonderful organization has to offer:
One easy way to make an impact through the Women’s Resource Center is by donating bus passes!
For more information about these services or to learn how you can get involved, call (616)-458-5443 or visit GRWRC.org.
Don’t let a little snow and ice stand in the way of your bus ride. Winter may not officially be here yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start preparing for your winter bus travel. As you ride the bus this winter, here are a few smart habits to practice for a safer bus ride.
November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. This disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 180,000 people in Michigan have the disease.
In our new partnership with FOX 17, we’re featuring organizations and stories to motivate you to make our community a better place. Last week, we featured The Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer’s is a journey that many families across the nation face, yet feel so alone. The Alzheimer’s Association knows what those families are going through, and provide so many resources to help out families going through this difficult time. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Not only does the Alzheimer’s Associations provide families with endless resources, they also have committed volunteers who help those affected in any way by Alzheimer’s get to support groups or even special cafes for those dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s main office is located at 2944 Fuller Avenue North East in suite 101. Not only is their office located right along The Rapid’s routes, they also have two Memory Cafés and twelve support groups within a five-minute walk of a Rapid stop.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease in any way, or if you would like to help volunteer or support the Alzheimer’s Association, go to alz.org/gmc to see where help is needed in your area.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 180,000 people in Michigan have the disease.
Alzheimer’s is a journey that many families across the nation face, yet feel so alone. The Alzheimer’s Association knows what those families are going through, and provide so many resources to help out families going through this difficult time.
Not only does the Alzheimer’s Associations provide families with endless resources, they also have committed volunteers who help those affected in any way by Alzheimer’s get to support groups or even special cafes for those dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s main office is located at 2944 Fuller Avenue North East in suite 101.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease in any way, or if you would like to help volunteer or support the Alzheimer’s Association, go to alz.org/gmc to see where help is needed in your area.