Grand Rapids ‘Gets’ Transit « Michigan Now

Grand Rapids ‘Gets’ Transit « Michigan Now

Posted to MichiganNow.org on Monday, May 9, 2011

Last Tuesday, May 3, Grand Rapids and 6 surrounding communities approved a millage for a Bus Rapid Transit system. It will include 10 hybrid electric buses on a 10 mile route downtown. 19 new bus stations will have message boards showing the next bus will arrive in 10 minutes or less.

It’s supposed to feel permanent and powerful, like a train. It will be carried out of the Rapid, the Grand Rapids transit company. Voters agreed to raise $9 million. This will get them about $30 million in matching funds from the federal government. The BRT program can lead to light and heavy rail transit funding later from Washington. West Michigan has become the leader in public transit for the state.

Michigan Now’s Chris McCarus caught up with Dave Bulkowski. He runs the group Disability Advocates of Kent County. They led the successful campaign. Full Article | Michigan Now