Silver Line (Grand Rapids)

Last updated
Silver Line
TheRapid Silver Line logo.svg
Rapid SilverLine.jpg
Silver Line bus at Rapid Central Station, the northern terminus
Overview
Operator The Rapid
StatusOperating
Began serviceAugust 25, 2014 (2014-08-25)
Route
Route type Bus rapid transit
Locale Grand Rapids, Michigan
Start60th Street Station
End Rapid Central Station
Length9.6 mi (15 km)
Stations34
Route map

Contents

mi
min0
BSicon KHSTa.svg
0.0
Central Station
BSicon BUS2.svg 1-16 18 BSicon LOGO Amtrak2.svg
00/33
BSicon INT.svg
0.6
Monroe & Louis
BSicon BUS2.svg 9 11 50 DW
03/30
BSicon INT.svg
0.8
DeVos Place
BSicon BUS2.svg 11 50 DN
04/29
BSicon INT.svg
1.2
Medical Mile
BSicon BUS2.svg 11 13 19 50 DN
07/26
BSicon INT.svg
1.5
Spectrum/GRCC
08/25
BSicon INT.svg
1.8
Fulton Street
BSicon BUS2.svg 4 14 15
09/24
BSicon INT.svg
2.3
Mercy Health
BSicon BUS2.svg 3
11/22
BSicon INT.svg
2.6
Wealthy Street
BSicon BUS2.svg 5 DW
12/21
BSicon INT.svg
3.1
Franklin Street
BSicon BUS2.svg 2
14/19
BSicon HST.svg
3.5
Hall Street
15/18
BSicon HST.svg
4.0
Cottage Grove
17/16
BSicon INT.svg
4.6
Burton Street
BSicon BUS2.svg 24
19/14
BSicon HST.svg
5.2
Kroc Center
20/13
BSicon INT.svg
5.6
28th Street
BSicon BUS2.svg 28
22/11
BSicon HST.svg
6.6
36th Street
24/09
BSicon INT.svg
7.6
44th Street
BSicon BUS2.svg 44
27/06
BSicon INT.svg
8.9
54th Street
BSicon BUS2.svg 1
30/03
BSicon KHSTe.svg
9.6
60th Street
BSicon PARKING.svg
33/00
Times shown according to southbound schedule.
    
Number 90 is used in some electronic schedules where numeric data is required; the route is primarily identified as the Silver Line

The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit line operated by The Rapid in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The line runs along Division Avenue on the Wyoming-Kentwood border into downtown Grand Rapids, where it loops around before terminating at Rapid Central Station. It began operation on August 25, 2014. [1]

The route is part of The Rapid transit network in the Grand Rapids metro area. It is the first BRT service in the state of Michigan.

There are 34 stations including the terminus platform at Central Station. Each station is equipped with 24-hour lighting, an emergency phone, and a snow melt system under the platform. An illuminated text display informs passengers of expected arrival times. All stations have raised platforms that align with the floor of the rapid transit vehicle, making for easy boarding and alighting.

Level boarding of bus rapid transit demonstrated TheRapid Silver Line level boarding at curb.jpg
Level boarding of bus rapid transit demonstrated

Route

The Silver Line route travels 9.6 miles (15 km), mostly along Division Avenue from 60th Street on the Wyoming-Kentwood border, crossing into the City of Grand Rapids at 28th Street, and after Wealthy Street loops around the downtown area to Central Station in Grand Rapids.

Between 28th Street and Wealthy Street, Division Avenue has two sign-designated "bus only" lanes which are reserved during weekday peak hours, reducing delays due to conflicts with general traffic during busy times. There are also bus lanes on Monroe Avenue.

Bus Lane Ahead sign on Division Avenue Bus Lane Ahead sign in Grand Rapids, MI.jpg
Bus Lane Ahead sign on Division Avenue

The route also necessitated the introduction of the city's first transit-only traffic signal, at the intersection of Fulton Street and Ransom Avenue. This light assists the southbound Silver Line bus to turn left from its right lane position. Regular traffic is funneled into a single lane regardless of which direction they wish to turn.

View of the southbound station, located on Ransom Avenue. The bus turns left from the right lane with the aid of a dedicated signal. General traffic uses the left lane to turn right or left. Fulton Street Station, Silver Line, Grand Rapids, Michigan.JPG
View of the southbound station, located on Ransom Avenue. The bus turns left from the right lane with the aid of a dedicated signal. General traffic uses the left lane to turn right or left.

A parking lot was created at the southern terminus at 60th Street and Division, and acts as a Park'n'Ride facility. Parking at the facility is free.[ citation needed ]

Park'n'Ride lot visible to the right. 60th Street Station, Silver Line, Grand Rapids, Michigan 01.JPG
Park'n'Ride lot visible to the right.

Fares

The fare structure is integrated with the rest of the Rapid bus network. A single fare costs $1.75, with a daily cap of $3.50. Weekly and monthly passes as well as 10-ride passes are available. Unlike on the regular bus services, fares were paid or validated prior to boarding. Off-board fare payment was discontinued in 2022. [2]

On September 1, 2016, the service was made fare-free in the downtown area between Central Station and Wealthy Street. Rides originating or with destination south of Wealthy Street were subject to payment. The “fare-free zone” was discontinued on August 1, 2020. [3]

Schedule

The Silver Line provides service 7 days a week, during similar hours to the rest of the Rapid network.

Weekdays (Monday–Friday) [4]
NorthboundSouthbound
5:32 AM–6:21 AMEvery 20-30 minutes5:40 AM–6:40 PMEvery 15 minutes
6:21 AM–6:50 PMEvery 15 minutes
6:50 PM–9:50 PMEvery 30 minutes6:40 PM–10:10 PMEvery 30 minutes
Saturdays
NorthboundSouthbound
5:38 AM–9:10 PMEvery 30 minutes6:00 AM–9:30 PMEvery 30 minutes
Sundays
NorthboundSouthbound
6:10 AM–6:10 PMEvery 30 minutes7:00 AM–6:30 PMEvery 30 minutes

Map

Geographically accurate map of the Silver Line Silver Line Grand Rapids route map to scale.png
Geographically accurate map of the Silver Line

See also

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References

  1. "As Silver Line begins rolling, waiting game for potential economic boon begins". 25 August 2014.
  2. "Fares".
  3. Wynder, Ehren (2020-07-30). "The Rapid announces payment changes". Grand Rapids Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  4. "Silver Line". www.ridetherapid.org. Retrieved 2023-01-29.