TMP Recommendation Concepts & Strategies

How did we get here?

Process for developing the concepts and strategies

Concepts and Strategies

The project team has identified six primary concept categories. Within each concept category is a groups of strategies. These strategies will help The Rapid carry out the community’s transportation vision for the next 20 years, striving to be the transportation provider of choice and convenience.

  • Increase community awareness and engagement through education and marketing programs.

    • Develop a community ambassadorship program

    • Develop a community “adopt-a-stop” program

    • Develop a local artist bus stop / placemaking design program

    • Partner with schools to develop a youth education program

  • Explore tools to foster transit-supportive places using plans, policies, and public investments.

    • Develop transit-oriented real estate development guidelines

    • Develop mobility hub standards and policies

    • Develop transit-supportive streetscapes and roadways design guidelines

    • Study Rapid-owned assets / site redevelopment potential

  • Enhance rider experience by improving existing service, operations, and rider amenities.

    • Explore and develop a high frequency core network

    • Increase bus stop amenities

    • Extend service hours

    • Implement a guaranteed ride home program

  • Pursue innovative technologies to streamline Rapid operation, improve rider convenience, and align mobility services.

    • Develop a Zero Emissions Bus (ZEB) transition plan

    • Improve fare structure and regional fare coordination

    • Improve microtransit and paratransit software and technology

    • Install real-time information displays and dynamic wayfinding

  • Increase connectivity within and outside of the ITP service area.

    • Study expanding the service area

    • Study light rail / commuter rail

    • Study regional connections and/or commuter rail

    • Pilot the West Michigan Express along Chicago Drive

  • Strengthen regional partnerships to align mobility planning efforts and implement TMP recommendations.

    • Align mobility solutions with regional economic development strategies

    • Develop service expansion standards

    • Develop strategies to better utilize existing transportation infrastructure

    • Study regional mobility and land use needs

Project Next Steps

To finalize strategies for the Transit Master Plan, each will be prioritized by the following:

  • Implementation of each strategy will require different levels of funding:

    • Existing funding

    • Acquiring funding (capital and/or operations) by applying to competitive grants or other one-time funding sources

    • Pursuing long-term sustainable funding sources for operations

  • Depending on community priorities and operational feasibility, strategies will be sorted into different timelines:

    • Ongoing: Currently underway

    • Near term: Less than 5 years

    • Mid-term: 5-10 years

    • Long-term: 10+ years

  • Some strategies may not be feasible currently and will require additional Rapid staff to implement in the long-term.

  • Each strategy will be given an estimated cost to help with planning and budgeting.

  • Many strategies will require partnership with different community members and or stakeholders. Local and regional partners will be identified for implementation.