Urban Grand Rapids

Route #33

The Rapid will begin operating a weekday express route to the Walker industrial park. The industrial park was previously served by an interline with route #9 (Alpine) - - - which was very confusing.

Route 33 will run hourly from 5:45am - 10:45am and 1:45pm - 5:45pm, Monday through Friday.

On this weeks City Of The Whole agenda is a repeal of the city's animal control ordinance and revision to the regulations regarding bees and chickens.

The Rapid's fixed-route ridership increased by 13% in June 2023 relative to June 2022. The strongest growth is in evening (53.6%) and weekend (53.8%) ridership.

Source: July Performance & Productivity Packet

Within 👉the minutes of the 2023-05 Rapid Planning meeting👈 is an interesting conversation about the future - or perceived future - of mobility in the region. This group plays an instrumental role in drafting the plan for the future of the Rapid; which for bureaucratic & regulatory reasons happens in twenty (20) year increments. Yes, a 20 year plan seems absurd; something the participants of this body appear to be aware of.

This post is different than the usual fare; it is more personal, yet I hope it is still illuminating. In the past week I have been asked, in different terms but in the same spririt, at least five times: "Why?". When asked the same or similair question that often an answer is obligated [IMO]. Why does this site exist? Why the strangely committed interest in these - seemingly esoteric - topics?

UPDATE 2023-09-19: Any proposed zoning reforms are now not expected to be heard until January, 2024. 🙄

On the August 23rd (2023) edition of GRTVaccess' "City Connection" the mayor discussed the issue of housing. This part of the conversation begins at the 47 minute mark.

The Draft 2024-2028 Five-Year Transportation Plan (5YTP) is available and the public comment period open until September 8th.

Don't forget when looking at this plan and the specified projects that the Michigan DOT's focus is: