As cities across North America invest billions in public transit infrastructure to boost their economy and quality of life, residents in suburban and rural Kent County continue to ask for more transportation options. The regional transit agency has pledged $100,000 for a needs study. But the study will cost twice that amount. The challenge is getting county leaders on board.
According to excerpts from the story:
Since the creation of The Rapid, the transit authority has contracted with Alpine, Byron, Gaines and Cascade townships for both route and para-transit service, and with Ada Township for para-transit service only.
There's also rudimentary transit service in some of the other townships either through the Hope Network-run North Kent Transit Service or The Rapid's County Connection service.
However, there continue to be requests for bus services from people in outlying areas, Varga said. The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council called a meeting last month with representatives from several area townships to discuss the possibility of expanding Rapid bus service into suburban and rural Kent County.
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