GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Rapid is asking for community input on the future of transit as part of its Transit Master Plan (TMP). Titled “Thriving: A framework for the future of connectivity,” the TMP seeks to identify what the public needs from The Rapid and general transportation in both the short and long term.
Individuals can participate through an online survey or by attending an in-person community engagement workshop from now until Dec. 8. This feedback will help The Rapid strategically build a community-led transit system for the next 20 years. The survey, along with additional information, can be found at www.transitthriving.org.
Everyone in the region is encouraged to participate, regardless of whether they use public transportation or not. The study area for this project extends well beyond The Rapid’s service zone with the intent to garner feedback from individuals who currently don’t have access to The Rapid.
“As our region grows, so does the need to expand transit options,” said The Rapid CEO Deb Prato. “We need to create a plan that outlines how public transportation will meet the needs of all our residents. Gathering feedback from everyone, both users and nonusers, is crucial to the success of this plan.
There will be an in-person open house event Thursday, Oct. 19 at Rapid Central Station, 250 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, in downtown Grand Rapids. There will be three sessions on Oct. 19: 7 to 9 a.m.; Noon to 2 p.m.; and 6 to 8 p.m.
Once the public engagement period ends on Dec. 8, The Rapid and TMP project consultants from internationally recognized firm AECOM will develop the roadmap for implementing, improving and potentially expanding transit options in the future.
To learn more about the Thriving TMP and ways to get involved, the public is encouraged to visit www.transitthriving.org.
