The Rapid adds rider restrictions (update)

The Rapid adds rider restrictions (update)
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UPDATE (8:34 a.m. April 6, 2020): Five, high-demand routes will increase weekday service from hourly to running every 30 minutes. All DASH service will be suspended until further notice. Routes listed here will operate 30-minute service every weekday (Monday-Friday) from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. until further notice:
● Route 1 (Division)
● Route 2 (Kalamazoo)
● Route 4 (Eastern)
● Route 9 (Alpine)
● Route 28 (28th Street)
The following routes will continue to operate 60-minute (hourly) service seven days per week from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. until further notice:
● Route 6 (Eastown/Woodland)
● Route 7 (West Leonard)
● Route 8 (Grandville/Rivertown Crossing)
● Route 10 (Clyde Park)
● Route 11 (Plainfield)
● Route 13 (Michigan Fuller – North)
● Route 15 (East Leonard)
● Route 16 (Wyoming Metro Health Village)
Other route details:
● Silver Line will continue to operate on 30-minute service seven days per week
● Route 50 (GVSU Campus Connector) will operate on 50-minute service seven days per
week
● Route 85 (GVSU Campus Circulator) will operate on 25-minute service seven days per
week from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

The Rapid is cutting capacity on its buses to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Rapid recently announced it has limited capacity to 10 passengers on all DASH buses and 15 passengers on buses serving the Silver Line and other fixed routes.

If a bus is at capacity, it will only stop at requested stops for passengers to de-board and may pass by stops that are not requested by passengers onboard. In those cases, an extra bus will be dispatched to pick up passengers at missed stops as quickly as possible.

If the number of people waiting to board at a particular stop exceeds the ridership limits, some passengers may be asked to wait at the stop for an extra bus to arrive.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority at The Rapid,” said Lisa Young, communications manager for The Rapid. “As we work to do our part to get essential employees to work and to pick up needed medications or shop for groceries, we are mindful of the health of our operators, passengers and public.”

The Rapid also has posted seat signage to block off at least half of the seats in all fixed route vehicles and instructing operators to contact dispatch if capacity becomes a social distancing concern.

The Rapid will continue to utilize extra buses that are specifically scheduled to assist on routes as needed when vehicles reach capacity.

Other steps The Rapid has taken to protect health and safety on our buses include:

  • Enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures on all vehicles
  • Nightly high-temperature steam cleaning of vehicles with an approved disinfectant
  • Additional cleaning of buses during service (between runs) at Rapid Central Station and Kentwood Station

“We are working to keep our vehicles and facilities as clean and safe as possible, and it is critical that riders practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet as much as possible and limit travel to essential needs only,” Young said. “These are unprecedented times, and we are grateful for both our dedicated bus operators and all of our riders for doing their part.”