The Rapid in Grand Rapids, MI

Reinventing Transit: report case study

Just a short trip from Detroit, the mid-sized city of Grand Rapids, Michigan is not the first place one might think to find a modern public transit system. But cutting edge technology, infrastructure and planning have brought Grand Rapids national recognition as a leader in small transit operations and ridership growth consistently above the national average.

Known locally as The Rapid, the system’s success is due to its large menu of transit options, tailored to community needs. Routes have been retooled to focus on job creation and economic development, while suburban areas are served by less intensive forms of transit like vanpools and shuttles. Today, the system is a vital piece of Grand Rapids’ economy with 80% of riders using The Rapid for work-related trips (up from 54% a few years ago).

Innovative Connectivity

• PASS: PASS provides a shuttle service to connect suburban residents with The Rapid’s regular bus routes. Passengers living 1/3 of a mile off a bus line can have PASS pick them up at the curb then deliver them to the nearest bus stop for $3.00,  which includes transfer to the main bus line. PASS travel must be arranged a day in
  advance but is available whenever the bus is in service.
• County Connection: County Connection is a curb-to-curb service that takes passengers from/to anywhere in Kent County. The cost is $14 per trip, with same day service available for $19.
• GVSU Shuttle: Partnering with Grand Valley State University, The Rapid offers free shuttle service for students and faculty between GVSU’s Downtown and Allendale Campuses. From 1997 to 2007 ridership has grown by over 5,000%.
• Carpool and vanpool program: Carpool and vanpool services have been developed in conjunction with the Grand Rapids business community. The Rapid recently introduced an online rideshare matching service (GreenRide) which has increased carpool and vanpool participation ten times over the old phone-based service.
• Rapid Central Station: In 2004, The Rapid completed construction of a brand new, LEED-certified, transit hub. Since opening, the station has helped spur $74 million in new development within a three block radius. To attain LEED status, the station was constructed with environmentally-friendly features such as a green roof, storm water collection tanks, recycled construction materials and low-emissions paints and adhesives.

Future expansions

Grand Rapids has received federal funding to expand their transit system with a new Bus Rapid Transit line. This project will create a variety of construction jobs both short term (e.g. facility and roadway construction) and long term (e.g. future development near stations). Construction associated with the project will create an estimated 1,200 jobs some of which are temporary.21 However, unlike highway projects, the BRT system will also generate permanent jobs through transit operations, retail trade and food services.

The total permanent job equivalent created by the rapid transit project will be 405, with an average annual wage of $37,000. The total annual wage creation will be $14,985,000. Total project capital cost will be $40,144,000 ($32,115,200 federal, $8,028,800 state). High demand for vanpool service also presents another opportunity for investment, however additional state funding is needed.

Michigan transit creates jobs

A recent study by Michigan DOT for the Governor’s Transportation Funding Task Force analyzed the return on various investments in Michigan’s transportation system. Their final report estimated the following:

• More than 300 jobs are created or sustained for every $10 million spent on transit capital investment
• 570 jobs are created or sustained for every $10 million spent on transit operations
• This is in contrast to about 142 per $10 million spent on highway projects

View the report notes.

See more innovative projects included in the Reinventing Transit report.

Posted: 05-Feb-2009; Updated: 22-Apr-2009