[Transit Updates for Greater Grand Rapids]

No, no, no!! Not a BRT system or "enhanced bus" system of any kind. The Rapid busses have their necessary place, but Grand Rapids will need a Light Rail System. Maybe right now the density won't support it, but now is the time to build it BEFORE the density makes it too expensive. A BRT system just will not have the psychological effect of a true light rail system. The fact that there are rail lines and rail stations which are immovable cause compact development around them. Any system using the existing roadways is not seen a permanent and people won't build near them necessarily because the line can always be moved around to another area. I think that if GR moves forward with a BRT system instead of true light rail, in a couple of decades we will be revisiting it again and putting in a light rail system anyways at the cost of millions or billions more.

Right on! As good as a BRT system may look on paper, I just don't see many in this community using it. Lets face it, Michigan is an automotive based society. The industry, the culture, the infrastructure.....We love our cars. Theres nothing cool or fun about taking the bus to work. Thats the intangible factor that light rail has that noone ever takes into account. Its fun to take a train. People just think its cool. After a LRT system is installed, Transit oriented development occurs around the line, and people even try to find housing closer to the line. Have you ever heard of someone moving to be closer to the bus stop?

[The Watering Hole]

Hey guys! I'm obviously new here, and since I couldn't find an introduce yourself thread of any sort, I figured this would be the most logical place to do so. I found the site through a google search, and it piqued my interest. I've been living in Grand Rapids my entire life. Grew up in Alger Heights, but I've been living downtown at the live at the globe for a couple years now. I'm in my junior year pursuing an accounting degree at GVSU's Pew campus. I've been really interested in the development of the DT area, for quite a while, and its good to finally meet some other people who share my opinions.

Cheers,

Jordan