The MM2030's Preferred Scenario is Approved byThe Rapid's Board
Based on the responses from the public and the Mobile Metro 2030 Task Force (MMTF), the Project Team developed a “Preferred” Scenario that matches the vision of Scenario C but at a cost closer to Scenario B. The “Preferred” Scenario incorporates the span of service improvements from Scenario A, most of the frequency improvements from Scenarios A and B, develops Bus Rapid Transit on The Rapid’s two most successful transit corridors and includes the full Regional Express Bus program from Scenario C as well as a Modern Streetcar starter network that would connect the West Side, downtown Grand Rapids and Medical Mile, laying the foundation for future streetcar expansion projects (West Grand, East Grand Rapids). The “Preferred” Scenario would also include improvements to the Go!Bus system including extension of Go!Bus service to new service areas, development of an Accessibility Improvement Plan, and same day booking service (subject to space available). In presenting the recommendation on behalf of the Task Force, Bob Roth, president of RoMan Manufacturing and Chair of the MMTF urged the Board to adopt the “Preferred” Scenario and encouraged them not to lose sight of the vision in Scenario C so that additional projects could be reincorporated at a later date.
Both the annual 2030 operating and maintenance costs and the aggregated FY 2011-2030 capital cost for the “Preferred” Scenario are roughly double today’s costs after adjusting for inflation. Fortunately, the millage would not have to double. Since some of the new services and service improvements would occur outside current Rapid boundaries they would be funded as contracted services. The State of Michigan is also considering an increase in the motor vehicle fuel sales tax, from 19 to 27 cents per gallon, and some of that increase could help supplement local transit funding. Any remaining deficit would need to be funded through local sources, either as millage or as local contributions for the streetcar services. Without these additional contributions though, the “Preferred” Scenario would require an increase in the local millage rate from 1.12 mills to approximately 2.00 mills.
See the complete list of improvements. (123 KB, PDF)
View a PowerPoint presentation (3 MB, PDF) that summarizes the TMP process and the approved scenario.
View the full plan. (3 MB, PDF)
A Transit Master Plan or TMP is a comprehensive, 20-year plan that will guide the future development of The Rapid transit system, primarily for its current service area of East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker and Wyoming.
The plan will also help The Rapid understand how our system stacks up against those of comparable cities, identify what we can learn from those systems, ways we can enhance our transit system and services, and how we can improve service, attract and retain riders, increase efficiencies, and lower costs based on peer best practices.
July 2010 TMP Newsletter
View the newsletter (444 KB, PDF)
April 2010 TMP Newsletter
View the newsletter (436 KB, PDF)
February 2010 TMP Newsletter
View the newsletter (916 KB, PDF)
