One of the perks of going to Grand Valley State University is anyone with a valid GVSU ID can ride any Rapid bus for free. Most commonly, students use Routes 37 or 48 to get to off-campus apartments or Route 50 to reach the Pew Campus. However, Rapid buses cover over 185 square miles of the metro Grand Rapids area, so students without a car or who want to save money can use the Rapid as an alternate mode of transportation to get to places such as Meijer, the Woodland Mall, RiverTown Crossings or businesses in downtown Grand Rapids. To look up bus routes visit www.ridetherapid.org.

For students who aren’t used to using public transit, it can be a little intimidating at first. Listed below are a few tips to help you ride like a pro.

Tips for riding The Rapid:

1. If you’re not sure where a bus is heading, don’t be afraid to ask the driver. They can tell you the bus’ route and stops that it will make. Also visit, connect.ridetherapid.org/infopoint, to look up different bus routes and stops. The website will also give you an estimated departure time, so you know when the bus will be leaving or if it’s running a little behind.
2. If you lose or forget something on the bus, call 616-776-1100 during regular hours, which are Monday- Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Keep in mind it may take up to three business days for your item to be available and lost items are only held for 10 days.
3. This may seem obvious, however, if you’re standing, always hold on. Tight. People will laugh if you fall over, and this happens far too often. However, everybody falls at some point, so when you do don’t be too embarrassed.
4. If you get a phone call on the bus remember everyone around you is listening in on your conversation. The bus isn’t always the best place for personal discussions.
5. When the bus is packed, don’t be that person who puts their backpack on the seat next to them so no one can sit there. The death glares will be deserved if you do.
6. When you’re getting out the back door of the bus, hold it for the next person rather than letting it slam in their face.
7. When the bus finally comes, and the crowd starts moving toward the doors, don’t push ahead in line. Most of these people have been waiting just as long as you have.
8. You don’t have to pull the cord to get off at the Kirkhof Center. The bus always stops there.
9. There will come a time when the bus driver forgets to stop at your stop. Don’t panic. Just tell them, politely, and they will gladly pull over for you.
10. Beware of rainy and snowy days. The water makes the floor of the bus extremely slippery, so please refer again to tip #3.

Environmental and economic benefits of public transit:

1. Each year, public transportation saves the U.S. the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline.
2. In 2012, Americans took 10.5 billion trips on public transportation. Nearly 12 million of those trips were on The Rapid.
3. Public transportation use saves the equivalent of 900,000 automobile fill-ups every day.
4. An individual can save more than $9,900 a year by taking public transportation instead of driving and by living with one less car.
5. People living near public transportation drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles a year compared to those who don’t have access to transit.
6. The Rapid currently has five hybrid-electric buses, which are distinguishable by their green roofs. The buses have a battery-powered electric motor that powers the bus at slower speeds and a smaller, clean diesel engine used at higher speeds.
7. The Rapid uses ultra-low sulfur diesel, which has a 97 percent reduction in sulfur content compared to previous fuel formulations. Each bus now emits 90 percent less pollutants than before.

* Information is from www.ridetherapid.org