Tag Archives: Mobility

The Rapid to host virtual public hearings for August service changes

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The Rapid wil host virtual meetings for its Mobility for All program. The meetings are set for May 18. (Supplied)

By Bill Kirk
The Rapid

The Rapid will host two public hearings to present the recently approved service plan for the Mobility for All (Comprehensive Operational Analysis) project. The service enhancements and changes are planned to go into effect on August 30.

The hearings will be held virtually via Facebook Live on The Rapid’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 18. In addition to Facebook Live, the meetings will also be accessible via Zoom:

  • 5/18/21 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82811022785
  • 5/18/21 – 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81782359697The Mobility for All project kicked off in the summer of 2019 with the goal of analyzing The Rapid’s entire fixed-route system to identify budget-neutral opportunities for improvements in service reliability, efficiency and access. In addition to exhaustive technical and operational analyses, extensive public outreach was conducted to inform the final service plan, including:
    • 57 stakeholder meetings with partners and community organizations
    • 10 virtual public meetings with nearly 300 viewers/participants
    • 3 online surveys with 1,089 responses
    • Multiple interviews with members of The Rapid’s Board of Directors and staff
    • 2000 informational flyers soliciting feedback distributed on Rapid buses (1,500 in English, 500 inSpanish)
    • The full public outreach summary is available in the final “Preferred Alternative” document, beginning on page 320The resulting service plan approved by The Rapid’s Board of Directors to be implemented in August will provide:

  • Access to 15-minute frequent service all day on weekdays to over 136,000 area residents (approximately 6 a.m to 6 p.m.)

  • Access to 15-minute frequent service all day on weekdays to over 67,000 area jobs (approximately 6 a.m to 6 p.m.)

  • New transit access to over 8,000 jobs in Walker and 9,000 jobs in Kentwood via new on-demand service (planned to launch in January 2022)In addition to increased transit access and new services, the plan will improve on-time performance, provide better transfer opportunities for riders and more efficiently meet current transit demand.

“We are very excited to have reached the final stage of this project and to begin preparing for implementation,” said Max Dillivan, senior planner and Mobility for All project manager at The Rapid. “This has been an extremely thorough process from both a technical and public outreach perspective, and despite having to adapt the project to the difficulties presented by the pandemic, we are confident that the final plan represents more reliable, efficient and effective service for our customers.”

In addition to the virtual public meetings, Rapid riders and stakeholders can provide comment and feedback via the following methods:

Alternatives in Motion enhances independence through access to mobility equipment

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By Alternatives in Motion and C. Davis

 

Being disabled is tough enough, but imagine not having access to mobility equipment to get around. Thankfully, there’s a nonprofit that helps people who can’t afford or fall through the cracks of health insurance.

 

Alternatives in Motion enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing independence through access to mobility equipment.

 

The nonprofit’s vision is to be the central hub in West Michigan for recycling, distributing, and maintaining mobility devices for those in need. Alternatives in Motion had its beginnings in 1993, after the brother-in-law of founder George Ranville, a Grand Rapids native, got into a tragic accident. As Ranville struggled to help his brother-in-law attain proper — but expensive — equipment, he saw an opportunity to help the disabled community.

 

The new nonprofit began raising money and making its cause known, believing that access to mobility equipment is the path to independence for those in need. Since then, Alternatives in Motion, which remains entirely funded by independent donations, has continued to grow and strives to keep up with the need for mobility equipment.

 

The organization’s mission is to provide wheelchairs to individuals who do not qualify for other assistance and who could not obtain such equipment without financial aid. By creating access to mobility equipment and repair services for those in need, Alternatives in Motion gives them the independence and quality of life they deserve.

 

If you or someone you know needs mobility equipment, apply here. (You must live in West Michigan to qualify.) For more information go to the website or call 616.493.2620.