The Rapid Board Unanimously Approves Purchase of Eight Natural Gas Buses, Eliminating Diesel from Fixed-Route Fleet

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Rapid Board of Directors has unanimously approved the purchase of eight replacement compressed natural gas and renewable natural gas (CNG/RNG) buses, marking a major milestone in the agency's transition to cleaner public transportation.

The purchase will replace the last three fully diesel buses operating in The Rapid's fixed-route fleet, along with five Silver Line diesel-electric hybrid buses that have reached or exceeded the Federal Transit Administration's useful life benchmark. Once the new buses are delivered in July 2027, fully diesel-powered buses will no longer operate in The Rapid's fixed-route service.

"This is an important moment for The Rapid," said Walker Mayor Gary Carey, Chair of the Board. "The replacement of our remaining fixed-route diesel buses reflects years of strategic investment in cleaner transportation technologies. It improves the rider experience, supports operational reliability, and moves us closer to our long-term sustainability goals."

The Rapid will purchase eight 40-foot buses for roughly $8 million. The project is funded through a competitive federal grant awarded in November 2025, along with state matching funds. No local funding is required for purchase.

The investment advances goals outlined in The Rapid's Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan for Clean Transportation, which establishes a pathway toward a fully zero-emission fleet by 2048. The plan recognizes renewable natural gas and other alternative-fuel technologies as important steps in reducing emissions while maintaining reliable transit service during the transition to emerging zero-emission technologies.

"We're committed to making smart investments that benefit both our riders and our community," said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. "This project allows us to maximize grant funding, replace vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life, and continue moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable fleet."

Compressed natural gas (CNG) uses natural gas stored under high pressure as a clean-burning alternative to diesel fuel. Compared to traditional diesel-powered buses, CNG vehicles produce lower levels of smog-forming emissions and particulate matter. The Rapid further reduces its environmental impact through the use of renewable natural gas (RNG).

By partnering with Clean Energy to utilize renewable natural gas/landfill gases and earn RIN credit receipts, The Rapid fuels its buses for about $0.51 per diesel gallon equivalent, for an estimated savings of over $6 million dollars each year in fuel budget.

Once delivered, the new buses will increase The Rapid's fixed-route CNG fleet from 131 to 139 vehicles while removing the agency's remaining diesel buses from service. The resulting fleet will consist of 139 CNG buses and five diesel-electric hybrid buses, continuing The Rapid's long-term shift toward cleaner, reliable transportation.

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About The Rapid

The Interurban Transit Partnership (ITP) was formed in 2000 to operate a public transportation system they named The Rapid to provide services for the Grand Rapids metro area and beyond. ITP is organized and operated under Michigan Public Act 196 of 1986 with a 15-member board of directors representing the six municipalities in the service area. Beyond its fixed routes, The Rapid also operates demand response services for people with disabilities, and for those living outside the fixed-route service area, car and vanpool programs.