Rapid

I started using the Rapid after my car broke down and couldn’t get it fixed mainly as a last resort for when a ride wasn’t available and found it’s actually very freeing. I found it to be intuitive for new riders and the drivers very friendly and accommodating.
For those who need a basic overlay (like me): you look up your route (or put in your beginning and end destination on the site and they’ll make one for you) and the time it’ll be at the stop closest to you. They generally make this time but can be a few minutes late but will never be early. You wait for those departing to get off, get on, pay with either cash or one of the cards you can buy from them (or those new machines they’ve set up) and sit down. If you are taking the bus to Central Station so that you can board another bus or plan on walking to get on another route after getting off request a transfer immediately as you pay your fare. If you need to transport your bicycle you pull down the bike rack on front by pulling up on the yellow handle and putting your back wheel into the groove closest to the driver’s seat. It is all labeled. Then you secure it with a spring-​loaded arm that fits over the front wheel. Some might think duh! But a lot of my anxiety in starting to take the bus was not knowing exactly how everything would work, which for someone who didn’t grow up taking the bus might be a mystery.
Drawbacks are obvious, taking the bus is slower than driving and it’s more difficult to leave at a whim particularly anytime after 11 – 12 at night or before six because the bus isn’t running. Weekdays during work hours can be busy with students and workers but I’ve never had an issue getting a seat. Weekdays most routes run once an hour so if you think at six ten, I think I’ll go hop on the bus it’s likely you’ll look and see it already came at six o’ four and you have to wait until seven o’four. For what it is though, the bus is a good service that saved me many a time.

I have been riding the Rapid for almost a year now after having to give up my car. It’s a great way to get around the Grand Rapids area. Prices are good and with the latest route improvements buses run more often and later. Grand Rapids is growing into a substantial city and The Rapid is filling the public transit void.