Rapid Central Station is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified transit facility in the country. Central Station represents cutting-edge technology paired with solid design to provide passengers with a transfer hub that is both functionally sound and environmentally responsible. It has become a model for transit systems around the country. Some of the green features include:

A green roof—a layer of live sedum growing on flat portions of the roof—to reduce storm water runoff, maintain temperature control in the building, and significantly increase the useful life of the roof itself by shielding it from damaging UV rays.

Beneath the bus platform are large tanks that collect storm water runoff to separate debris, allowing clean water to be discharged back into the immediate environment.

The terrazzo floor, which dominates the passenger waiting area and the mezzanine, makes use of recycled glass, providing a very dramatic, yet durable, flooring surface. It is expected to last for decades with little or no maintenance other than cleaning.

A percentage of the construction materials has recycled content and another percentage was recycled after construction.

Low-emitting materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, and carpet systems were used to improve the indoor air quality by reducing contaminants.

Download the LEED brochure. (PDF, 496 KB)

On Monday, April 23, 2007, The Rapid introduced its new hybrid-electric buses into the fleet. Easily distinguishable by their green roofs, the hybrid buses help The Rapid strengthen its commitment to protecting the environment by burning less fuel and emitting fewer pollutants into the air.

The buses feature a battery-powered electric motor that provides most of the power at slower speeds and a smaller clean diesel engine that takes over at higher speeds. By the fall of 2007, The Rapid will have five hybrid buses in operation.

To evaluate the performance of the hybrid-electric buses, The Rapid has partnered with Grand Valley State University. GVSU faculty and staff will assess the performance of the buses to determine the actual fuel savings and pollution reduction. Their analysis will allow The Rapid to determine the benefits to the community that the hybrid-electric buses provide.

In June 2006, The Rapid began using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). This has a 97% reduction in sulfur content compared to previous fuel formulations. Each bus now emits 90% less pollutants than before. In 2007, The Rapid introduced hybrid-electric buses into the fleet. These hybrid vehicles are proven to reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions even further.

According to a report entitled “Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: The Role of Public Transportation” published in 2002:

• For every passenger mile traveled, public transportation produces only a fraction of the harmful pollution of private vehicles; only 5 percent as much carbon monoxide, less than 8 percent as many volatile organic compounds, and nearly half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
• Public transportation is reducing emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) by nearly 745,000 tons annually. This equals nearly 75 percent of the CO emissions by all U.S. chemical manufacturers.
• The report concludes that greater use of public transportation offers the most effective strategy available for achieving significant energy savings and environmental gains without imposing new government mandates or regulations on industry or consumers.
  

The Rapid is a member of the Community Sustainability Partnership, a diverse network of community organizations in West Michigan that embrace and support sustainability guiding principles in their planning and operations and are striving to make a positive impact in our community. Members of the Partnership are committed to work together to restore environmental integrity, improve economic prosperity, and promote social equity.

Learn more about the Community Sustainability Partnership.