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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.
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.
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.
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.
