The Rapid adds new late night bus hours to accommodate riders

The results of a millage increase approved by voters in May 2011 are on the road this week in the form of late night bus runs on The Rapid and other expanded services, including Quick Response Code (QR Code) signage at some stops. Riders with QR code readers on their phones can scan the code to get real-time transit tracking for that route.

The Rapid, Grand Rapids' transit system, says all fixed routes are now running until 11:15 p.m. on weekdays, until 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and every 30 minutes on weekdays between 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The only exceptions are the Woodland/Airport route 17, and 44th St. route 44.

In addition, the seven busiest routes will run until 12:15 a.m. Monday through Friday with 30-
minute service, Grand Valley State University's route 50 will extend to Rapid Central Station on weekday evenings from  6:45 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and the GO!Bus on-demand service for senior citizens and disabled persons will run until 12:15 a.m. weekdays.

"This is just the first round of changes," says Jennifer Kalczuk, The Rapid spokesperson. "Between now and August all fixed routes will be impacted. More routes operating in the evening mean so much more access for riders to second and third shift jobs, as well as access to entertainment and social options."

Kalczuk says ridership has more than doubled since 2000, showing growth even in years when there were no new ridership options. One of those years was 2011 when ridership jumped 10.7 percent, despite no increase in services says Kalczuk.

For more information, click here or call 616.776.1100. Schedules are posted at each stop.

Source: Jennifer Kalczuk, The Rapids
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor