Bus rapid transit comes to Michigan

Last month, Grand Rapids became to first Michigan City to complete construction of a bus rapid transit (BRT) line.

The $40 million Silver Line connects Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming, mainly serving the Division Avenue corridor.

Rapid Growth’s Tommy Allen had this to say about riding the Silver Line for the first time:

“As I rode the bus on Monday with others who sat in the seats for the first time, a new chapter began. And I loved how people conversed with one another (those who did not engage were often caught eavesdropping, as a slight smile would emerge, giving away their hidden giddiness).
 
“At the Central Station launch of the Silver Line, Michigan Department of Transportation’s Director Kirk Steudle shared that being first comes with many eyes watching what we do here, while we’re hoping to replicate the successes of other cities in the U.S. who have seen a positive benefit as a result of the BRT lines.”

Bus rapid transit, a less expensive alternative to fixed-rail rapid transit systems, features buses with signal priority traveling in dedicated lanes.

Read more about the Silver Line in Rapid Growth Media.