The Rapid
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| Slogan | Ride The Rapid |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters | 300 Ellsworth SW |
| Locale | Grand Rapids, MI |
| Service area | Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming, Alpine Township, Byron Township, Gaines Township, |
| Service type | bus service, paratransit, bus rapid transit |
| Routes | 23 |
| Destinations | Vernon J. Ehlers Station, DeltaPlex, DeVos Place, Fulton St Market, Gerald Ford Airport, GRAM, John Ball Zoo, Van Andel Arena |
| Hubs | Rapid Central Station, Kentwood Station |
| Stations | 33 Bus Rapid Transit |
| Fleet | 129 Gillig Low Floor, Diesel Hybrid-Electric |
| Daily ridership | 48,700 (1st Quarter 2015) |
| Fuel type | Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel, Diesel Hybrid-Electric |
| Operator | Interurban Transit Partnership-The Rapid |
| Chief executive | Peter Varga |
| Website | - |
The Interurban Transit Partnership operates a public transit system called The Rapid, which provides bus service to the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolitan area and beyond. The Rapid was recognized in 2004 by receipt from the American Public Transportation Association of an "Outstanding Public Transportation System Award".
Formed by the City of Grand Rapids in 1963 as the Grand Rapids Transit Authority, the system became a regional authority in July 1978 and was renamed the Grand Rapids Area Transit Authority, or GRATA. In January 2000, the ITP was formed, which soon adopted the moniker, The Rapid, as its branding.
In September 2006, The Rapid unveiled a new look for the buses to match the design of the Central Station platform which opened in 2004. The older red, blue and yellow striped buses will be replaced over the next few years with the new design, which features waves of white and blue.
A new website was launched shortly after the new buses were introduced. New features of the website include e-mail updates by route as well as other services, and the ability to buy passes online.
Aside from the City of Grand Rapids, the system also serves the cities of East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming. Some routes extend into neighboring townships including Alpine Township (route 9), Byron Township (route 1), and Gaines Township (route 4).
The Rapid operates 23 fixed bus routes, and special services for Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Ferris State University (see below).
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Wikipedia