Downtown workers, residents and visitors will see a Grand Rapids Area Shuttle (DASH) that runs nearly twice as often, with buses arriving every eight minutes instead of every 15 minutes.

The change happens on Monday, May 4, when the City of Grand Rapids launches a reimagined one-year pilot route for its free downtown shuttle service.

The new route is smaller and more focused than the current version. Instead of covering as much ground, the updated DASH will loop through the busiest parts of downtown, hitting key spots like DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena, parking ramps, and the new Acrisure Amphitheater. It will also connect to the future Amway Soccer Stadium and other high-traffic areas.

Why The DASH Route Is Changing

The decision to scale back the service comes as the contracted hourly rate for DASH would rise 28 percent in the next year, in accordance with the city's agreement with The Rapid.

City officials said the city would not be able to sustainably budget the expense. Under the current operating agreement with The Rapid, the contracted hourly rate for DASH was projected to increase by approximately 28 percent in the new fiscal year, after analysis of DASH's direct operating cost to the Rapid's entire system.

The City determined this increase could not be sustainably budgeted. The reimagined pilot route covers a more targeted footprint than its predecessor, a deliberate design choice that helps the City avoid an additional 7.1 million in projected capital and operating costs through fiscal years 2027-2031 while targeting an annual operating cost of 2 million.

Mobile GR Commission Chair Chad Patton said, "An apparent pain point to Mobile GR Commissioners was the stop frequency of the DASH. The updated DASH Pilot is an assertive response to that pain point through an increase in service frequency and a decrease in wait time."

Mayor David LaGrand said, "We want downtown Grand Rapids to be easier for everyone to get around. This updated DASH pilot route is a smart use of public resources and gives riders a better experience with more frequent service, shorter trips and a simpler route designed around what people need. It also will make the DASH much better as a part of transportation for our residents and visitors."

More frequent service is what people value most, and lets us all blend riding with walking, or driving and parking.

The Tradeoff

The new DASH route is designed as a compact, intuitive hop-on/hop-off free shuttle connecting key downtown destinations, including DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena, Acrisure Amphitheater, City parking ramps and the future Amway Soccer Stadium.

The simplified loop reduces overall trip time while improving reliability, particularly during peak activity periods and special events.

Jessica Smith, Mobile GR director, said, "The previous model was not financially sustainable, and it wasn't delivering the frequency riders need to rely on transit. With this pilot, we're running buses nearly twice as often, with shorter trip times, at a cost the City can sustain long-term."

Pilot Program Details

The pilot will operate seven days a week and is pending final approval from City Commission and subject to budget authorization.

Mobile GR will conduct community engagement throughout this summer and fall to discuss the pilot's performance and explore the best long-term investment in downtown transit. Feedback gathered during this engagement period will inform decisions about the route's future beyond the pilot year.

For more information on the DASH pilot route, visit the City of Grand Rapids' Mobile GR Department website or contact 311 Customer Service at 616-456-3000 or 311.