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Passes & Fares

The Rapid offers a number of different fare types and purchase options to best meet your needs when using the fixed-route system.

Start saving with The Wave!

Providing riders with a faster, easier and more convenient way to pay for your fare! Pay-as-you-go value makes travel on The Rapid buses easier than before.

 Purchase

Rapid Wave smart card

Wave Card Types & Fares

Fare or Cap
Increment 		1-Day 7-Day 31-Day
Adult$1.75$3.50$16.00$47.00
Youth $1.25$2.50$11.25$33.75
Reduced$0.85$2.25$10.50$30.00
Partner$1.25$2.50$11.25$33.75
ADA$0———
10-Ride*$13.50———

*10-Ride Wave cards do not feature fare capping or auto-load.

GO!Bus and PASS do not utilize The Wave. 


Points of Purchase

Paper tickets are no longer for sale at the following locations:

  • The Information Center at Rapid Central Station
  • On buses
  • Meijer Stores
  • Spartan/DW/ Family Fare Stores
  • Online at ridetherapid.org

On June 15, 2020, paper tickets will no longer be accepted as fare. Change cards and transfers will no longer be issued for those paying fares in cash. 

This change does not impact GO!Bus or PASS riders. These tickets can still be purchased in the above locations. 


Where to Purchase The Wave Card

Online

Adult and 10-Ride Wave cards are available for purchase online at any time using credit cards only.

 Buy Now

Note: When purchasing a ticket or pass with a credit or debit card, the card must bear the purchaser's name, i.e., The Rapid cannot accept "gift cards" such as pre-paid VISA® cards if it does not have the purchaser's name on the card. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

At The Rapid Central Station Information Center

Wave cards are sold at Rapid Central Station for a one-time fee of $3, load your money on-site or purchase locations listed below.

At Retail Locations

Wave cards are available to purchase at the following retail locations with cash, debit, or credit card. Payment standards may vary by outlet.

or at 60+ retail locations throughout the service area, including:

  • Walgreens
  • Speedway
  • Mobil
  • Marathon

Cash

Cash will continue to be accepted as a single bus fare. However, on June 15, 2020, riders using cash to pay their fare will not receive a transfer or a change card.

See GO!Bus or PASS for information on fares. You can purchase fares online at any time.

Transfers

Transfers were developed to help customers travel conveniently within our system on a single fare. With The Wave card, your transfer timeframe is 105 minutes and begins with your first tap. This means that you have 105 minutes to ride anywhere in the system, even on the same route!

Your first tap will charge a normal fare to your account. Subsequent taps within the 105-minute transfer timeframe will not charge your account.

If you are using a paper ticket or cash, transfers can be requested by asking the bus operator upon paying your fare. On June 15, 2020, transfers will no longer be provided when paying a cash fare. 

Reduced Fares

In order to qualify for reduced fare on our fixed-route system, one must be age 65 or older, or have a current qualifying disability. All applicants not in The Rapid database must complete and submit a reduced fare application or visit Rapid Central Station. Learn more >

Replacement & Refund Policy

The Rapid will not replace Wave cards, tickets, transfer cards or change cards that have been damaged due to misuse or altered in any way. Wave cards, tickets and fare are non-refundable and will not be replaced if lost or stolen. Any value loaded onto a Wave card is non-refundable. 

Silver Line No Fare Zone

The City of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. have partnered with The Rapid to create a No Fare Zone for the Silver Line, which encompasses all Silver Line stations from Wealthy Street northbound.

No fare is required to ride the Silver Line if you enter and exit within the No Fare Zone. If you begin your ride before entering the No Fare Zone and/or exit after leaving the zone, a valid fare is required.

No Fare Zone Map