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Posted on February 21, 2012
Grand Rapids, MI – The Rapid will host a job fair on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Rapid Central Station located at 250 Grandville Ave. SW, 2nd Floor Conference Center.
The Rapid is seeking bus operators to join our growing organization. Bus operators enjoy a great wage, opportunity for advancement, and a supportive team environment. All bus operators start in a part-time status (full-time during training for the first 8 weeks).
To qualify, applicants will need:
For additional information regarding the bus operator positions and to review the minimum qualifications of the jobs please visit The Rapid’s website at www.ridetherapid.org. All applicants should bring their valid driver’s license.
Applicants who are not able to attend the job fair, may also apply in person Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at our Administrative offices located at 300 Ellsworth Avenue S.W. in Grand Rapids. Please note, The Rapid does not accept resumes for bus operator positions. Job-seekers must apply in person and fill out the application on-site. The process takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
The Rapid is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Women and minorities encouraged to apply.
The Rapid provided over 10.8 million trips in 2011—a new record in the agency’s history.
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Posted on February 9, 2012
An editorial by Clark Harder, MPTA Executive Director
In Washington, DC Congress has declared open war on public transportation, and on those individuals who either rely upon transit, or choose it in these times of inflated gasoline prices, to get to and from work, doctor’s appointments, school, the grocery, pharmacy and other essential services. Demand for transit rides is rising across Michigan but Congress would have the buses shut down.
Specifically, Republicans are pushing two initiatives that would place in jeopardy the very existence of our public transportation infrastructure across this country, including systems throughout Michigan in both urban and rural communities and counties. These are HB 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, and the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Financing Act Fifth Freedom. By the way, does someone actually get paid to come up with these vague and misleading names? But I digress.
These two initiatives, taken together, would remove several funding sources for public transportation. For 30 years, since championed by President Reagan, public transportation has been funded in part through federal gas taxes. If this legislation passes it will put an end to this guaranteed funding, resulting in transit agencies losing about $25 billion over the next five years.
The bill also would eliminate TIGER grants. These fund a variety of transportation projects, including rail and Complete Streets projects. Complete Streets is a program designed to ensure that our streets are usable for everyone, including autos, bicyclists, pedestrians, and people who use wheelchairs.
Statewide in Michigan, federal funding accounts for about 20% on average of our public transportation operational funding, and the majority of the funding for new hybrid, low-emission vehicles. If these bills are approved, public transportation, including local dial-a-ride systems and urban line haul service will cease to exist as we know it. Contact your Congressman/woman today and urge her/him to protect
transit funding! For more information contact the American Public Transportation Association at www.apta.com or the Community Transportation Association of America at www.ctaa.org.
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Posted on January 10, 2012
Total ridership on the Macatawa Area Express (MAX) transit system of Holland, MI increased 28.93 percent in December over the same month a year ago with more than 33,902 rides provided last month.
For the third consecutive month, MAX has set an all-time ridership total on its eight fixed routes. Ridership on the fixed routes for the last three months has exceeded 28,500 each month, breaking the last fixed route ridership record of 28,356 set in March 2011.
Annual ridership also was up sharply. MAX saw a 23.3 percent increase in ridership to 420,000 for fiscal year 2011, which ended September 30, 2011. In 2010, MAX experienced an eight percent increase.
The lakeshore transit system expects ridership to reach 450,000 this year. The healthy growth in ridership is a trend that has occurred for the past four straight years since the fixed route service was expanded to eight routes in 2007. MAX’s fixed route ridership now comprises 76 percent of all rides provided, with reserved ride premium service making up just 24 percent.
A decade ago when MAX began operating three fixed routes, three-quarters (75%) of all rides were demand response, a more costly service to operate. MAX officials attribute the ongoing growth in transit use to persistent elevated unemployment, an decrease in household incomes, and rising fuel costs.
“Our passenger survey results from September 2011 indicate that more of our customers are facing declining incomes causing them to rely more on public transit for transportation to trim expenses,” said Sherri Cadeaux, MAX marketing and customer service manager. “Unfortunately, this mirrors the national trend of declining incomes.” MAX passenger surveys indicate 40 percent of MAX passengers ride the bus to get to and from work on a regular basis.
Total ridership on the Macatawa Area Express (MAX)transit system increased 28.93 percent in December over the same month a year agowith more than 33,902 rides provided last month.
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Posted on December 10, 2011
