Public invited to comment on possible future transit plans at five May open houses
The Rapid’s Mobile Metro 2030 task force is presenting possible future transit plans for public questions and comments in May. At a series of five open houses, people can review three different scenarios that were developed through community i
The Rapidâs Mobile Metro 2030 task force is presenting possible future transit plans for public questions and comments in May. At a series of five open houses, people can review three different scenarios that were developed through community input during the Transit Master Plan (TMP) project.
Following the Open Houses, the plan will go before The Rapidâs board of directors with a recommendation of the preferred scenario that will help shape future transit service in the greater Grand Rapids area. A formal decision is expected in June 2010. The final draft will be posted at [EXLINK '338']www.rapidtmp.org[/EXLINK].
The TMP open houses will be held at these five locations:
Co-Hosted lunch meeting/open house
Tuesday, May 11, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., La Grave Church, 107 La Grave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. The May 11 lunch meeting includes an optional $10 lunch. Please reserve by May 5 by contacting Disability Advocates of Kent County at 616-949-1100 x253.
Evening open houses
Tuesday, May 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Rapid Central Station, 250 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Wednesday, May 12, 6-8 p.m., Walker Fire Station #2, 4101 Lake Michigan Drive, Walker
Thursday, May 13, 6-8 p.m. â Kentwood City Chambers, 4900 Breton Avenue, Kentwood
Wednesday, May 19 â 6-8 p.m., Wyoming Public Library, 3350 Michael Avenue, Wyoming
Each open house will feature identical information, and include visual displays and opportunities for one-on-one discussions with The Rapidâs staff and TMP team. A presentation and question-and-answer session will also be included to provide further information. People also can provide feedback at [EXLINK '339']www.ridetherapid.org[/EXLINK] or leave comments on The Rapidâs information hotline, 616-774-1298.
Three scenarios for future transit
We strongly encourage people to join us at any of the open houses or email us their comments, as input at this stage is critical in shaping the final Transit Master Plan (TMP),â said Bob Roth, president of RoMan Manufacturing and leader of The Rapidâs Metro Mobile 2030 task force. âWeâve organized the ideas that people have proposed over the last six months into three different scenarios for discussion in May. The scenario submitted as part of the final draft TMP would be implemented over the next 20 years.
The three draft TMP options are:
Public input to date
Since the Transit Master Plan launched in fall 2009, people throughout The Rapidâs service area have voiced their opinions at workshops, through online surveys, by email and more to Mobile Metro 2030 Task Force members about the future of transit in the greater Grand Rapids area. To date, the Rapid has logged more than 750 comments from the community during the TMP process.
About The Rapidâs 2030 Transit Master Plan
The Rapid is working with the Mobile Metro 2030 task force of community leaders to invite public input to develop a new transit master plan (TMP), designed to guide public transportation development for the next 20 years. The new TMP will link land use and transportation decision-making, optimize means to match transit services with projected land use patterns, identify existing and future transit needs, examine alternatives, and specific recommendations and steps to address funding gaps. The Transit Master Plan is funded through federal and state planning grants. HDR and LSL Planning are managing the study. Information about the Transit Master Plan project is posted at [EXLINK '340']www.rapidtmp.org[/EXLINK].
About The Rapid
Operated under the auspices of the Interurban Transit Partnership, The Rapid serves East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming and portions of Alpine, Byron, Cascade and Gaines Townships. Last year, The Rapid provided over 9.3 million rides, an all-time high in public transportation trips in the greater Grand Rapids metro area. Website: [EXLINK '341']www.ridetherapid.org[/EXLINK].
