The Rapid

Last update was on 10/26/2026.

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.
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 has a total of 17 bus bays & 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, 34 (limited service), 100 (limited service), & the Silver Line BRT (Route 90).

Secondary system hubs are as follows:

  • The Kentwood Station (located on the southern end of the Woodland Mall parking lot, nearest to the Phoenix Theatres building) comprises of 6 bus bays & serves Routes 5 (Mon-Sat), 6, 24 (Mon-Sat), 27 (limited service), 28, & 44.
  • RiverTown Target (singular sheltered bus bay located near the Five Guys) – 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. Routes 27 & 33 only operate on weekdays, but service on both routes operate all day. Other routes such as the 34 & 100 operate very limited service (typically only a few runs during the peak AM & PM hours at most).

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.

Holiday Service

The Rapid does not operate on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day.

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.

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.

Kalamazoo Ave SE

Downtown Grand Rapids, The Rapid Central Station, Cherry St SE, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Pekich Park, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids Early Discovery Center, State of Michigan Department of Human Services, MLK Jr St SE, MLK Park, Fuller Ave, Grand Rapids Housing Commission, Kalamazoo Ave SE, Meijer (1540 28th St SE), Kenosha Park, Bowen Elementary School, Brookwood Elementary School, East Kentwood High School^, Pinewood Middle School^, Celebration Cinema, Clock Tower Center, Meijer (1801 Marketplace Dr SE), Target (1925 Marketplace Dr SE)^.

^ – Within walking distance.

Eastern Ave SE

Downtown Grand Rapids, The Rapid Central Station, Cherry St SE, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Pekich Park, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, Cherry Park, Eastern Ave SE, Alger Middle School^, Steelcase Learning & Innovation Center, Woodfield Dr SE, 60th St SE, Kalamazoo Ave SE, Clock Tower Center, Meijer (1801 Marketplace Dr SE), Target (1925 Marketplace Dr SE)^, Eastport Dr & Ridgebrook Dr (northbound only after leaving the Meijer at 1801 Marketplace Dr SE).

^ – Within walking distance.

Alpine Ave NW

Downtown Grand Rapids, The Rapid Central Station, Cesar Chavez Ave SW, Market Ave SW, Rosa Parks Circle, DeVos Place, Downtown Post Office, Michigan St NW, Riverwalk Ah Nab Awen Park, Bridge St NW, Meijer Bridge Street Market, Stocking Ave NW, Alpine Ave NW, Harrison Park, Meijer (2425 Alpine Ave NW), Center Dr NW Shopping District & Green Ridge Square, Target (3248 Alpine Ave NW), Highpoint Center. North Terminus Loop (counter-clockwise): Alpenhorn Dr NW, Lamoreaux Dr NW, Alpine Ave NW, Menard St, Menards (4151 Alpine Ave NW), Walmart (3999 Alpine Ave NW), Sam’s Club (3901 Alpine Ave NW), Henze Dr.

On weekdays, some buses will short turn (head southbound) after serving Green Ridge Square.

Plainfield Ave NE

Downtown Grand Rapids, The Rapid Central Station, Cesar Chavez Ave SW, Market Ave SW, Rosa Parks Circle, DeVos Place, Downtown Post Office, Michigan St NW/NE, Medical Mile, Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospital, Lafayette Ave NE, Coit Park^, Lookout Park^, Belknap Park^, Mary Waters Park, Leonard St NE, Plainfield Ave NE, Sweet St Park, Briggs Park^, Aberdeen Park^, Plainfield Plaza Shopping Center, Meijer (3757 Plainfield Ave).

^ – Within walking distance.

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.

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. Today, the diesel fleet is down to its final few units as CNG units replace them.

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. # 6017 is a 2023 model unit – added to the fleet to help enhance Laker Line service.

Champion Crusader Cutaway Van
(Ford E450 Chassis)

These cutaway vans make up the bulk of the paratransit service fleet for The Rapid. The agency’s paratransit fleet currently comprises of vans that are fueled by conventional unleaded gas, propane gas, & there’s a small fleet of electric-powered vans as well (though the make & model of the latter is not known).

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.