The Rapid “yes” vote to make a difference next year

Expanded weekend and weeknight services, more bus routes, increased regional connections, and new buses will be the benefits of the millage increase approved by voters last week. But the progress is slow and many of the changes won’t take place until after the millage hike goes into effect next summer.

According to excerpts from the story:

Voters in the six core cities in Kent County gave their support last Tuesday to a millage renewal plus a .17 mill enhancement to improve and expand services to meet an increasing ridership demand for The Rapid.

The measure passed with 18,690 in support to 13,561 who voted against the request.

The new millage will help create a new northwest Grand Rapids route. It will also expand weeknight and weekend service and reduce wait times. But the biggest perk is increased regional connectivity, which will allow riders to travel from Wyoming to Kentwood, for example, without a stop in Grand Rapids to transfer buses.

Read the complete story here.