Grand Rapids DASH Gets New Route Starting May 4 with More Frequent Service
Grand Rapids DASH begins new pilot route on May 4 with buses arriving every eight minutes instead of every 15, focusing on downtown venues and reducing trip times.
New DASH Route Focuses on Downtown, Cutting Trip Times and Increasing Bus Frequency
Starting Monday, May 4, the Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) in Grand Rapids will operate on a new pilot route that is more concentrated in downtown and runs nearly twice as often as before.
The updated shuttle will arrive every eight minutes instead of every 15, according to the City of Grand Rapids. Buses will also follow a simplified one-directional loop through the busiest parts of downtown.
What Changes Are Coming
The new route will loop through key downtown locations including:
- DeVos Place
- Van Andel Arena
- Parking ramps
- Acrisure Amphitheater
- Future Amway Stadium
The updated shuttle is available seven days a week and is free to ride. It connects these major downtown venues with city parking ramps and high-traffic areas.
Why The Route Is Changing
The change comes after the City of Grand Rapids reviewed DASH operating costs within the broader transit system. The city was set to face a 28 percent increase in DASH expenses under the current agreement with The Rapid.
Mayor David LaGrand said the city could not sustainably budget that expense. Instead, city officials chose to redesign the route to keep costs manageable.
"We want downtown Grand Rapids to be easier for everyone to get around," Mayor LaGrand said. "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."
Pilot Program Pending Approval
The new setup is a one-year pilot program. It still needs final approval from City Commission and budget authorization.
Mobile GR, which operates DASH in partnership with the city, will study the program's performance and ask for rider feedback before deciding what comes next.
"With this pilot, we're running buses nearly twice as often, with shorter trip times, at a cost the City can sustain long-term," said Jessica Smith, Mobile GR director.
The previous model was not financially sustainable and was not delivering the frequency riders need to rely on transit, Smith added.
Sources
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