The Rapid expands sustainable transit in Michigan with 16 New Flyer high-capacity transit buses.

Michigan Grand Valley State University (GVSU) students, faculty and staff are returning to campus this week and have a new transit option to travel between GVSU’s Allendale campus and downtown Grand Rapids: the Laker Line.

The Lake Line is The Rapid’s – and the state of Michigan’s – second bus rapid transit (BRT) line. The Rapid calls the opening of the Laker Line “the next innovative step in the 20-year partnership between The Rapid and Grand Valley State University.”

“The Laker Line project is an energizing example of the collaborative spirit of West Michigan,” said Nick Monoyios, planning manager and Laker Line project manager at The Rapid. “Through planning, development and construction, the seven-year partnership between federal, state and local agencies has successfully made Michigan’s second BRT a reality. I’ve been privileged to work alongside an array of dedicated project staff in service to my alma mater, GVSU.”

The Laker Line serves 13 stations and features transit signal priority, 16 high-capacity, articulated compressed natural gas buses, level platform boarding with precision docking of vehicles, off-board fare collection and a new light maintenance facility. The 60-foot articulated buses also have on-board Wi-Fi, USB charging ports on all seats and internal display screens for service messages.

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