Rapid Route 29 service in Cascade to cease at end of August

| Posted in: Latest News

Township officials are pursuing alternatives
For Immediate Release | July 19, 2023
Contact: Rich C. Lakeberg | rlakeberg@cascadetwp.com |  616-949-1500
CASCADE — The Rapid will cease Route 29 bus service along 28th Street within the boundaries of Cascade Township on Aug. 27, 2023. Over the past several months, the Cascade Township Transportation Committee and the Cascade Downtown Development Authority have been in the process of re-examining township services with The Rapid. Unfortunately, negotiations between the Cascade Township Downtown Development Authority and The Rapid have not been successful. However, Cascade is committed to providing transit alternatives for the workers and other underserved individuals that rely on Rapid Route 29.
 
“The Township, through its Downtown Development Authority and Transportation Committee, offered a variety of alternatives to the Rapid to preserve bus services for residents and businesses — they were all flatly refused,” said Grace Lesperance, Cascade Township Supervisor. “Alternative services for our residents and for workers are available and we will continue to support those providers and to direct our residents and workers to them.”

At this time, Township officials are pursuing several options, including providing additional financial support for Hope Network transportation services and/or partnering with rideshare company Lyft. The DDA at its Tuesday, July 18 meeting approved a preliminary statement of work by McKenna to assist the DDA with possibly participating in a LyftPass Program. Lyft Pass is a program for government organizations and businesses by offering partially subsidized Lyft rides within a specified geofenced boundary.
 
Background: Township survey and negotiations

The DDA pays for a portion of The Rapid’s Route 29, which provides access to businesses (and municipal buildings) within the DDA boundary, primarily along 28th Street. This costs Cascade Township approximately $218,000 per year. The current contract with The Rapid is set to expire on Aug. 27, 2023.
 
In an effort to be fiscally responsible and ensure Cascade’s residents, workers, and businesses are being served by The Rapid, Cascade Township took a proactive approach.  Cascade’s DDA hired McKenna, a Northville-based planning, design and building services firm to assist the township in conducting a transportation survey. Following the survey and an analysis of Rapid ridership data by McKenna, the firm reported in a May memorandum to the DDA that Route 29 was not serving the needs of its riders.
 
During this same time, Township officials kept an open line of communication with The Rapid and attempted to negotiate a new contract. Per McKenna’s recommendation, the Township requested The Rapid consider eliminating Route 29 and extending Route 28 to the Cascade Township Meijer at 5531 28th St Ct SE.
 
This was suggested because data showed the vast majority of bus riders originate from outside of Cascade and embark/disembark Route 29 buses at destinations between Patterson Avenue (the western border of Cascade Township) and the Cascade Meijer. Public survey input also supported the conclusion that Meijer and points west are the key areas for fixed route transit in the Township. However, because of current Rapid fee structures for non-millage townships, this change would not have resulted in significant cost savings for Cascade.

The DDA then presented several options for The Rapid to consider to both improve bus service in the DDA area and save funds in the process. The Rapid was only able propose to save the DDA funds by reducing Route 29 frequency. This service reduction would only save the township about $25,000 per year.

The township made attempts to come to other arrangements, but The Rapid did not entertain those suggestions, and requested the Township renew a contract by June. Because of The Rapid’s inflexibility, the DDA at its June meeting voted to decline The Rapid’s contract and continued to attempt to reach an alternative agreement. Unfortunately, these further negotiations did not bear fruit.
 
“The Township has been frank with The Rapid during this entire process, and made numerous attempts to come to a solution with the Rapid. Unfortunately, The Rapid refused to budge,” said Lesperance. "We are truly sorry for any anxiety caused by this situation. We are pursuing solutions.”
 
More about Route 29
Rapid Route 29 began operating in September 2021. Prior to September 2021, Cascade Township was served by Rapid Route 28, which beings in Grandville and served nearly the entire 28th Street corridor. Route 28 was truncated to Woodland Mall, and Route 29 was added to cover the rest of the corridor. Since the change, according to data obtained by McKenna, the service change resulted in a drop in ridership. Weekday ridership has fallen 14%, Saturday ridership has dropped 27%, and Sunday ridership is down 24. The decrease, McKenna said in its memorandum to the township, is not due to Covid: Ridership had recovered to about 75% of pre-Covid levels by September 2021, and was steady before the route change.
About Cascade Township
Home to more than 19,000 residents, Cascade Township is committed to serving the public by providing the finest community services possible with respect, efficiency and integrity. With the Thornapple River at its heart, Cascade Township is recognized as an excellent place to live, work, play and raise a family. For more information, visit cascadetwp.com.
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