[EASTOWN] The Bus Stops Here

It happens every 30 minutes. Retirees, professionals and school children get on board and get to where they’re going for pocket change using one of the most unsung rides on the road: the city bus. The Rapid, as it’s called in the Grand Rapids metro area, passes through our neighborhood via Routes 5 and 6, where it stops to pick up Eastowners bound for downtown destinations including the Van Andel Arena and Grand Rapids Community College and shoppers headed to Woodland Mall and elsewhere on 28th Street.

The Rapid also links people from other parts of the Grand Rapids metro area— including Kentwood, Grandville, Wyoming and Walker—to Eastown restaurants, shops and nightlife. A recent article in The Rapid Reporter, the Rapid’s online newsletter, spotlighted Eastown’s attractions, calling our neighborhood “easy, eclectic, and entertaining” and reporting that “Eastown is like no other.”

Ridership is on the rise. According to the Rapid, bus riding in Greater Grand Rapids is growing at a rate that far exceeds national averages. Rapid External Relations Manager Jennifer Kalczuk said that in 2008 the Rapid provided more than 9 million rides—an 11% increase from 2007. This is the fourth record-breaking year in a row.

Fares are more than fair. A bus ride to almost anywhere in the area costs an adult $1.50. Seniors and disabled people get a ride for $0.75 and children under 42 inches tall ride free with a fare-paying adult. Get a better deal with a 10-ride farecard or 31-day unlimited ride pass. You can purchase most fare and ticket types right on the bus—and get all the others at Rapid Central Station downtown, or online at www.ridetherapid.org.

If you’ve considered riding the bus but don’t want to figure out how transfers work while others are waiting on you at the stop, you’ll be glad to know that the Rapid’s website has detailed instructions. You can also call 776-1100 to get answers to your questions—and personalized trip planning.

While bus riding is easy on you (ever wished you could read on your way to work?), it’s also easy on the environment. According to the American Public Transportation Association, a single person can save 4,800 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions by taking public transportation instead of driving a car for a year. The Rapid website also offers a carpool-matching service, which has grown in popularity over the past year. The Rapid’s fleet includes five hybrid-electric busses and its Central Station is the first LEED-certified bus station in the country.

In 2012, the Rapid plans to launch the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a high-speed bussing option with benefits similar to a speedy rail system: a dedicated lane during peak traffic times, stops with station-like accommodations, and pay-before-you-board convenience.

So, where do you want to go? In 30 minutes or less, your ride will be ready, just a short walk away from anyplace in Eastown.