GRCC Students Offered Free Bus Fare This School Year

Grand Rapids Community College has announced a partnership with The Rapid that will allow their students and staff to ride for free this school year.

The program begins on August 26, 2024, and will allow students to ride The Rapid for free from the first day of their first class until the last day of their last class. Additionally, when students are not actively attending classes (between semesters, etc.), they are eligible to purchase reloadable "partner" Wave Cards from the college that will allow them to ride The Rapid at a discount ($1.25 per ride instead of $175 per ride.)

The free rides via the program only apply to The Rapid's 28 fixed routes, and new Wave cards will need to be requested each semester.

Get our free mobile app

Students and staff can apply for their Wave cards online. Once their application has been accepted, they will be informed of the first day they will be eligible to use the service as well as when they can pick up their card from the Office of Student Life.

In a release, GRCC's President, Charles W. Lepper said,

We recognize that many of our students face challenges in accessing essentials like food, housing, and transportation. Providing cost-free access to The Rapid is a meaningful step toward equity, removing barriers to education.

Students and staff interested in utilizing the program can get all of the information that they need on GRCC's website.

As of now, this pilot program is expected to last for one year.