How do employees rate The Rapid?

Employees rate The Rapid 2.3 out of 5 stars based on 23 anonymous reviews on Glassdoor.

How can I get a job at The Rapid?

To get a job at The Rapid, browse currently open positions and apply for a job near you. Once you get a positive response, make sure to find out about the interview process at The Rapid and prepare for tough questions.

Do people recommend working at The Rapid?

Overall, 30% of employees would recommend working at The Rapid to a friend. This is based on 23 anonymously submitted reviews on Glassdoor.

How do job seekers rate their interview experience at The Rapid?

100% of job seekers rate their interview experience at The Rapid as positive. Candidates give an average difficulty score of 2.4 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) for their job interview at The Rapid.

How do employees rate the business outlook for The Rapid?

40% of employees think that The Rapid has a positive business outlook . This is based on anonymous employee reviews submitted on Glassdoor.

Working at The Rapid

The Rapid Snapshot

2.3

based on 23 ratings

30% would recommend to a friend

Municipal AgenciesIndustry

Mission Our mission is to create, offer, and continuously improve a flexible network of regional public transportation options and mobility solutions.

Description The Rapid (Interurban Transit Partnership) is the authority that provides a variety of public transportation services for the Grand Rapids metro area and beyond. It is organized and operates under Michigan Public Act 196 of 1986.

The Rapid operates fixed route, demand-response services for people with disabilities and those living outside the fixed-route service area, and car and vanpooling programs among other services.

The activities of The Rapid are overseen by a 15-member board of directors that represent the six municipalities in The Rapid service area.

Life at The Rapid

Why work with us?

About Us

Our Services

Careers

Who We Are

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to create, offer, and continuously improve a flexible network of regional public transportation options and mobility solutions.

We envision a future in our growing community in which:

Citizens can live conveniently without owning a car.
More citizens choose public transportation because it is an easy, economical, and efficient way of getting where they want to go.
Employers choose our community because it provides multiple solutions for getting employees to work.
Public transit serves as an economic engine.
Public transportation is an integral part of the life of every citizen in the region and creates opportunities.
Public transportation supports sustainability and economic development.

Beliefs

We carry out our mission based on the following beliefs:

Responsibility to all citizens. We believe that communities have a moral and economic obligation to provide transportation alternatives to all citizens.
A role in regional development. We believe that the public transportation system plays an important role in shaping regional development patterns and improving the quality of life in our community. A well-designed public transportation system can support an environmentally sustainable future, control urban sprawl by promoting responsible development, increase energy conservation, and reduce traffic congestion.
Collaboration. We believe that no single organization can provide all the transportation solutions needed by our citizens. We must build broad-based collaborations to blend a wide variety of transportation options into a flexible and responsive network focused on the needs of every citizen.
Responsibility to our customers. We believe that our transportation system should be a customer-oriented enterprise.

Values

We are committed to embodying the following values in how we carry out our mission:

Customer service orientation. We will provide service that is convenient, affordable, accessible, timely, and responsive to customer needs.
Customer loyalty. We will earn our customers' trust by providing service that is friendly, respectful, safe, and dependable.
Employees. We see our employees as the first line of contact with our customers and, therefore, we value our employees as integral to the success of our organization.

Company updates

The Rapid

11mo

At the beginning of 2025, The Rapid welcomed 12 fully electric vehicles to its Go!Bus ADA paratransit fleet—blending sustainability with groovy style. These EVs joined the already environmentally friendly propane fleet, reflecting our ongoing commitment to reducing public transportation’s carbon footprint in West Michigan. Go!Bus ADA paratransit connects seniors and individuals with disabilities across six cities to employment, healthcare, and social opportunities. In fiscal year 2024, The Rapid provided 228,320 rides, a 7% increase in ridership. In our Spring 2024 survey, 91% of riders rated Go!Bus as “very” or “extremely” valuable for people with special mobility needs. These new electric vehicles stand out not just for their impact but also for their look; wrapped in a bold, colorful 60s inspired flower power theme with nods to a sustainable future. “Our decisions in vehicle propulsion and fuel type matter to The Rapid, our community, and our future. Over 85% of our fixed route fleet runs on renewable natural gas, and these 12 new EVs show our continued commitment to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. The benefits are clear: quieter rides, fewer emissions, and lower maintenance costs. This milestone was made possible by federal funding secured by former Congressman Peter Meijer, helping ensure cleaner, more accessible mobility for our region....Show more

At the beginning of 2025, The Rapid welcomed 12 fully electric vehicles to its Go!Bus ADA paratransit fleet—blending sustainability with groovy style. These EVs joined the already environmentally friendly propane fleet, reflecting our ongoing commitment to reducing public transportation’s carbon footprint in West Michigan. Go!Bus ADA paratransit connects seniors and individuals with disabilities across six cities to employment, healthcare, and social opportunities. In fiscal year 2024, The Rapid provided 228,320 rides, a 7% increase in ridership. In our Spring 2024 survey, 91% of riders rated Go!Bus as “very” or “extremely” valuable for people with special mobility needs. These new electric vehicles stand out not just for their impact but also for their look; wrapped in a bold, colorful 60s inspired flower power theme with nods to a sustainable future. “Our decisions in vehicle propulsion and fuel type matter to The Rapid, our community, and our future. Over 85% of our fixed route fleet runs on renewable natural gas, and these 12 new EVs show our continued commitment to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. The benefits are clear: quieter rides, fewer emissions, and lower maintenance costs. This milestone was made possible by federal funding secured by former Congressman Peter Meijer, helping ensure cleaner, more accessible mobility for our region.

0

The Rapid

2y

Roadmap to Success: The Journey from Intern to Full-Time Careers at The Rapid Internships bridge academic learning and real-world application, offering hands-on experience, networking, and career exploration. Introducing Asher, Nate, and Tammy - three former interns who have blossomed into full-time stars at The Rapid! Asher, a bus and map enthusiast, fell in love with The Rapid at a very young age. Joining our team as an intern many years later, he has now evolved into a full-time Planner, channeling his love for buses and maps into shaping the future of transportation. Nate started at The Rapid as an IT intern and his hard work paved the way for his transition to the role of Network Technician. Nate’s continued success then propelled him upward to the position of IT Specialist. To top it off, Nate's outstanding contributions even earned him the title of Employee of the Year! Tammy grew up riding The Rapid and wanted to apply her knowledge to enhance accessibility within her community. Beginning her journey as a Communications intern, Tammy's professional development led to her transition into the role of Communications Coordinator, where she continues to contribute to the organization's outreach and connectivity goals. At The Rapid, our commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond just the internship phase. We recognize interns as future leaders and invest in their growth and development....Show more

Roadmap to Success: The Journey from Intern to Full-Time Careers at The Rapid Internships bridge academic learning and real-world application, offering hands-on experience, networking, and career exploration. Introducing Asher, Nate, and Tammy - three former interns who have blossomed into full-time stars at The Rapid! Asher, a bus and map enthusiast, fell in love with The Rapid at a very young age. Joining our team as an intern many years later, he has now evolved into a full-time Planner, channeling his love for buses and maps into shaping the future of transportation. Nate started at The Rapid as an IT intern and his hard work paved the way for his transition to the role of Network Technician. Nate’s continued success then propelled him upward to the position of IT Specialist. To top it off, Nate's outstanding contributions even earned him the title of Employee of the Year! Tammy grew up riding The Rapid and wanted to apply her knowledge to enhance accessibility within her community. Beginning her journey as a Communications intern, Tammy's professional development led to her transition into the role of Communications Coordinator, where she continues to contribute to the organization's outreach and connectivity goals. At The Rapid, our commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond just the internship phase. We recognize interns as future leaders and invest in their growth and development.

0

The Rapid

2y

Rolling into Family Legacy: The Rapid's Family Fleet Contest At The Rapid, our organizational culture places a strong emphasis on the value of family, recognizing that a supportive family environment contributes significantly to the performance and well-being of our employees. In an effort to celebrate and amplify these familial bonds, we launched our first-ever Family Fleet contest in 2021 and held our second in 2023! This unique initiative aims to infuse our agency with the spirit of family values that are integral to our identity. The contest allows staff members to nominate children aged 12 or younger, creating an opportunity for these young individuals to have a bus named after them through a random drawing. The chosen winners are granted the honor of having a bus with their name on it for the entire operational life of the vehicle, until its retirement. This extended recognition period serves as a symbol of the lasting impact and significance of familial connections. Winners also enjoy additional perks, including a personalized thermos, a special gift bag, a bus “birth” certificate, and an exciting photoshoot alongside some members of The Rapid team. The winners, and their families, will also get their photos displayed in a permanent spot on our growing Family Fleet wall! This contest helps demonstrate our commitment to not only celebrating but also nurturing the sense of family within our organization because safety might be what we do, but family is why we do it. ...Show more

Rolling into Family Legacy: The Rapid's Family Fleet Contest At The Rapid, our organizational culture places a strong emphasis on the value of family, recognizing that a supportive family environment contributes significantly to the performance and well-being of our employees. In an effort to celebrate and amplify these familial bonds, we launched our first-ever Family Fleet contest in 2021 and held our second in 2023! This unique initiative aims to infuse our agency with the spirit of family values that are integral to our identity. The contest allows staff members to nominate children aged 12 or younger, creating an opportunity for these young individuals to have a bus named after them through a random drawing. The chosen winners are granted the honor of having a bus with their name on it for the entire operational life of the vehicle, until its retirement. This extended recognition period serves as a symbol of the lasting impact and significance of familial connections. Winners also enjoy additional perks, including a personalized thermos, a special gift bag, a bus “birth” certificate, and an exciting photoshoot alongside some members of The Rapid team. The winners, and their families, will also get their photos displayed in a permanent spot on our growing Family Fleet wall! This contest helps demonstrate our commitment to not only celebrating but also nurturing the sense of family within our organization because safety might be what we do, but family is why we do it.

2

The Rapid

2y

Celebrating Excellence: Kristie Azzoli Receives West Michigan Works Essential Service Award We are thrilled to announce The Rapid’s very own Customer Experience Specialist, Kristie Azzoli, has been honored with a West Michigan Works Essential Service Award. This award credits individuals who play a vital role in ensuring essential services are delivered with merit. Kristie's dedication, exceptional patience, and commitment to providing outstanding service to our valued customers have truly set her apart, earning her this well-deserved honor. In the bustling world of public transportation, where the journey is as crucial as the destination, Kristie Azzoli stands out as a beacon of excellence. She consistently demonstrates compassion when assisting passengers, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard. Kristie's nomination and subsequent win are a testament to her pivotal role in enhancing the quality of service at The Rapid. Kristie’s achievement is a source of pride for The Rapid and a reflection of the collective efforts of our entire Rapid family. As we celebrate this accomplishment, we also extend our gratitude to our riders for their continued support and trust in our services. We look forward to continued success as we work together to serve the transportation needs of our six cities. Interested in working alongside Kristie? We are hiring two additional Customer Experience Specialists to help support our growing ridership! Apply now at ridetherapid.org/jobs. ...Show more

Celebrating Excellence: Kristie Azzoli Receives West Michigan Works Essential Service Award We are thrilled to announce The Rapid’s very own Customer Experience Specialist, Kristie Azzoli, has been honored with a West Michigan Works Essential Service Award. This award credits individuals who play a vital role in ensuring essential services are delivered with merit. Kristie's dedication, exceptional patience, and commitment to providing outstanding service to our valued customers have truly set her apart, earning her this well-deserved honor. In the bustling world of public transportation, where the journey is as crucial as the destination, Kristie Azzoli stands out as a beacon of excellence. She consistently demonstrates compassion when assisting passengers, ensuring that everyone feels valued and heard. Kristie's nomination and subsequent win are a testament to her pivotal role in enhancing the quality of service at The Rapid. Kristie’s achievement is a source of pride for The Rapid and a reflection of the collective efforts of our entire Rapid family. As we celebrate this accomplishment, we also extend our gratitude to our riders for their continued support and trust in our services. We look forward to continued success as we work together to serve the transportation needs of our six cities. Interested in working alongside Kristie? We are hiring two additional Customer Experience Specialists to help support our growing ridership! Apply now at ridetherapid.org/jobs.

2

Photos

The Rapid photo of: The face of someone who loves where they work. You could be next!

The Rapid awards & accolades

Kristie Azzoli Receives West Michigan Works Essential Service Award, West Michigan Works, 2024
American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Midsized Public Transportation System, The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), 2013
Best Places to Work for Commuters, National Center for Transit Research at USF, 2012
American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Midsized Public Transportation System, The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), 2004

Connect with The Rapid

Jobs at The Rapid

Customer Experience Specialist

Customer Service Bus Driver

Transit Enforcement Officer - Security Officer

Employee reviews at The Rapid

The Rapid has an employee rating of 2.3 out of 5 stars, based on 23 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The The Rapid employee rating is 37% below average for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Ratings by category

3.2

Diversity & inclusion

2.6

Compensation and benefits

2.4

Career opportunities

2.3

Work/Life balance

2.2

Culture & values

2.0

Senior management

Employee reviews

Anonymous employeeCurrent employee

5.0

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The Rapid Snapshot

Life at The Rapid