The Rapid

Page was created on 02/10/2025.
Last update was on 11/13/2025.

The Interurban Partnership, doing business as The Rapid, is the public transportation operator in the city of Grand Rapids, MI, & its suburbs.

Agency Snapshot

Established: January, 2000.
The agency’s predecessor, the Grand Rapids Transit Authority, was established in 1963.
Services Provided: Local & Express (fixed-route) Bus, Paratransit Van Service.
Number of Fixed Bus Routes: 30.
Number of Revenue Vehicles: Roughly 125 fixed-route buses. At least 30 Paratransit vans.
Number of Major Transit Hubs: 3.

A bus stop sign for The Rapid.

NEXT STOPS

Fare Payment
Information

System Map

Schedule Book

Service Advisories

Temporary Service Reductions
Effective 01/02/2024
Adjusted schedules continue for 2025 due to continued staffing issues

Capital Projects

Agency Website

Real-Time Vehicle Predictions/Tracking

MyStop Interface
Google Maps
Transit
Moovit

Please note that the Schedule Book file only includes detailed schedules & maps for The Rapid’s mainstay & BRT routes, as well as the DASH Circulator. Supplemental routes – such as those serving colleges, are not included.

The downtown Grand Rapids station (also known as the Central Station).

System Overview

The Rapid largely operates using a hub-spoke system, where buses originate out of a central hub. A vast majority of The Rapid’s routes originate out of the downtown Grand Rapids station (also known as the Central Station), located at 250 Grandville Ave. SW. The station is located just north of the Grand Rapids Amtrak station, where customers can connect to the Pere Marquette rail service to Chicago & Amtrak Thruway buses serving other parts of Michigan. The Central Station is also a stop for Greyhound’s intercity bus network, connecting customers to Detroit & other destinations across the US.

The Central Station serves Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Mon-Sat), 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (Mon-Sat), 13 (Mon-Sat), 14 (Mon-Sat), 15, 33 (Weekday peak only), 100 (limited service), & the Silver Line BRT (Route 90).

Secondary system hubs are as follows: Kentwood Station – serving Routes 5 (Mon-Sat), 6, 24 (Mon-Sat), 27 (Weekdays only), 28, & 44. Rivertown Transit Center – serving Routes 3, 8, 24 (Mon-Sat), & 44.

Most bus routes operate during all days of the week, with Routes 5, 12, 13, 14, & 24 only operating Monday through Saturday. Route 27 only operates weekdays, but has trips operating all day. Other routes such as the 33 operate very limited service.

In addition to The Rapid’s main fixed routes, the agency operates fixed route service to colleges such as Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, & Ferris State University. Some routes servicing these institutions are operated under contract between The Rapid & the institutions. The Rapid also operates supplemental trips to are K-12 schools based on bell schedules. These supplemental services all operate only when classes are in session.

System Routes

Select a route name to view the current schedule.
Route listing & schedules are current as of 08/25/2025.

Premium Rapid Services

The 36th St Station on the Silver Line (Route 90).

Grand Rapids is home to the state of Michigan’s only designated Bus Rapid Transit routes – the Laker Line & the Silver Line. While both routes operate in mixed traffic, they do posses many other BRT system features, including:

  • Stylized stations with level boarding platforms.
  • Off-board fare collection.
  • Real-time information displays.
  • Frequent Service (see below).
  • Articulated 60′ buses on the Laker Line. The Silver Line uses 40′ buses. Buses on both routes are specifically branded.
  • During peak hours on weekdays, traffic restrictions are enacted on Division St (Silver Line) to allow buses to move quickly in the right lane. Other motorists are permitted to make right turns during these times.

Laker Line

Route 45
  • Frequency:
    • Weekdays (Daytime): Every 10 minutes.
    • Weekdays (Evening): Every 20 minutes.
    • Weekends (All Day): Every 30 minutes.
  • Routing & Destinations: Downtown Grand Rapids, Medical Mile, DeVos Place, Rosa Parks Circle, GVSU Pew Campus, Fulton St, John Ball Park & Zoo, Lake Michigan Dr, Lincoln Lawns Neighborhood Park, Walker Community Park, Meijer (Lake Michigan Dr @ Wilson Ave), Aman Park, GVSU Allendale Campus.
  • Special Notes: During the GVSU fall & spring semesters, frequency & span of service on the Laker Line may differ from that of the summer semester.

Silver Line

Route 90
  • Frequency:
    • Weekdays (Daytime): Every 15 minutes.
    • Weekdays (Evening): Every 30 minutes.
    • Weekends (All Day): Every 30 minutes.
  • Routing & Destinations: Central Station, Downtown Grand Rapids, Rosa Parks Circle, DeVos Place, Medical Mile, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids Public Library – Main, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Division St, Salvation Army Croc Center, Godwin Heights High School, Kelloggsville Middle School, Kellogg Woods Park, 60th St Park-N-Ride Lot.
  • Special Notes: Division St right lane traffic restrictions (buses & right turns only) are in place during weekdays: 7am – 9am, & 4pm – 6pm.

Core Frequent Local Routes

These routes generally operate every 15 minutes during the day on weekdays, every 30 minutes during weekday evenings & during the day on Saturdays, with hourly service at all other times. There are a couple of routes that have exceptions, so please be sure to check the route schedule for further information.

Supporting Local Routes

These routes generally operate every 30 to 60 minutes, with some routes only operating Monday through Saturday.

Downtown DASH Circulator

The Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) operates as a multi-route circulator, connecting key areas within downtown Grand Rapids, as well as points to the immediate north & south of downtown, as well as portions of the city that are situated along the west bank of the Grand River.

In mid 2023, the DASH underwent a re-alignment to better serve these areas. The current routes are listed below:

Route 51 – Clockwise Direction

Route 52 – Counterclockwise Direction

Route 53 – Work Shuttle

DASH circulator service operates during all days of the week as of 08/25/2025, please check the link above for current span of service & the route map.
The DASH Work shuttle only operates on weekdays.

Supplemental Routes

These routes are operated by The Rapid in partnership with area colleges.

During the spring & summer of 2025, there was a trial run of Route 1000 – which served Millennium Park located just southwest of Downtown Grand Rapids. However, this service appears to have been discontinued & it is not clear if it will return in the future.

Supplemental K-12 School Runs

More Information.

Vehicle Fleet

The Rapid has roughly 125 fixed-route buses in its fleet, comprising of a mix of diesel, diesel-electric hybrid, & compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Nearly all of the buses are manufactured by Gillig Corporation, with only the 60′ articulated buses being manufactured by New Flyer Industries.

Gillig Low Floor Diesel

While the Gillig Low Floor is the primary bus type used in The Rapid’s fleet, diesel-powered units were purchased up until 2012. With exception to buses that are utilized on the DASH circulator, most of the buses are 40′ in length.

Gillig Low Floor CNG

To reduce overall emissions, The Rapid began purchasing CNG-powered buses in 2015, with the first revenue service units being produced in 2016. These buses are slowly replacing the older diesel fleet, with new CNG units entering service recently.

Gillig BRT Plus Diesel-Electric Hybrid

Exclusive to the Silver Line BRT, the Gillig BRT Plus features sloped front & rear ends, as well as a sleek, uniform roof faring & stylish rear-view mirrors. There are a total of ten units (#’s 1091 through 1100) that are dedicated for Silver Line BRT service.

New Flyer Xcelsior Articulated CNG (XN60)

Exclusive to the Laker Line BRT, the New Flyer XN60s are the only articulated fleet in The Rapid’s fixed-route lineup. These buses are able to carry increased passenger counts while classes are in session at both GVSU campuses. #’s 6001 & 6002 are 2019 models & served as prototype units for the Laker Line, while #’s 6003 through 6016 are 2020 model production units.

Fleet roster as of 10/14/2023. Click the image for a closer look.

Fleet Gallery

See below for all of the photos that I’ve taken of The Rapid’s buses. If you’d like to contribute, please complete the Contact Form.

September, 2023 Gallery

# 1129 at Central Station.
# 2105.
# 1094 departing.
# 2007 pulling in.
# 1068 arrives.
# 1093 on layover.
# 2109 on layover.
# 2114 just after I exited.
# 1091.
# 6004 by John Ball Park.
Front angle of # 6004.
# 1099 in downtown.
# 1124.
# 2104.
Interior of # 6003.
# 1097.
# 1078 passing by DeVos Place.
# 1132.
# 6014.
# 6010.
# 2001.
Interior of # 2001.
# 1146.
# 6015.
# 1095.
# 7539 on the DASH shuttle.
# 6013.
# 1081.
# 6001.
# 1097.

October, 2025 Gallery

#’s 1094 & 1097.
# 1097.
# 2109.
# 2407.
# 2405.
Same bus, different angle.
Same bus, different angle.
Same bus, different angle.
# 1101.
# 2111.
# 2403.
# 2115.
# 1073.
# 1070.
# 1066.
# 1084.
# 1073.
# 2404.
# 1075.
# 6005.
# 2408.
# 7519.
# 7529.
# 1096.
# 2010.
# 1137.
# 6001.
# 1139.
# 1061.
# 1105.
# 1098.
# 1114.
# 1074.
Interior of # 2407.

For my 2025 trip, I literally missed the revenue service debut of the 2025 units by literally 1 week. However, my understanding is that they are spec’d pretty much the same as the 2024 units.

Disclaimer

While I do my best to keep the information listed in the Transport sections accurate, please keep in mind that schedules, fares, & other information is subject to change without notice. To obtain the latest information, please contact the transit agency directly. If you spot something wrong, please let me know via the Contact form.