Finding a ride to work can be tricky, depending on how long your commute is. In Grand Rapids, you might live miles away from work or you could be just down the street. Luckily, there are options like Wheels to Work and public transit to make sure you get to your shift on time – no matter how far away you live.
1. City Bus
Grand Rapids’ public transportation system, The Rapid, has over 25 routes around the city. The bus runs as far North as Comstock Park and as far South as Cutlerville, and spans from Grandville to Cascade. With such a large area covered, chances are that if you live and work within the Grand Rapids area, you can find a bus stop near you.
Find bus stops and route schedules with the Grand Rapids Rapid Bus Tracker app on iPhone or Android.
For people living and working in the downtown area, the city offers DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle), a free bus that runs Monday through Saturday and allows passengers to hop on and off when convenient. DASH runs every 8 minutes, along the river up Monroe and Division, from Logan to Leonard.
For more information about DASH, visit The Rapid’s DASH website.
2. Wheels To Work
The description of Wheels To Work is right in the name! Wheels To Work is a transportation program run by The Hope Network that gives workers affordable rides to job sites. Employers participating in the program share a low-cost fee with the employees as a way to give them safe and reliable transportation.
Employees schedule to be picked up at one of the neighborhood-based hubs throughout Kent County. After their shift, employees may take Wheels To Work back to their local drop-off point. To use this service, your employer must be a participant in the Wheels To Work program.
3. Bike
If you own a bike, take advantage of the Summer weather by biking to work. Biking is easy, inexpensive, and good for the environment. Best of all, biking is fun! Find the best route in Google Maps by choosing the “cycling” option. This will help you avoid major streets and highways for a safe ride.
Biking is also convenient if you want to use more than one method of transportation during your trip. The Rapid allows bikes to travel for free on all of their buses, so you can change the method you travel if you get tired or if the weather gets bad. Just use the bike rack on the front of the bus to store your bike.
4. Walk
If you are close enough to walk to work, this method provides exercise and costs nothing. Studies have found that walking to work makes you healthier and happier than driving or even taking public transit. Walking is less stressful, helps you live longer, and makes you more social. Not bad for something that you can do for free and whenever you want!
Like biking, this method is easy to combine with other transportation. Walking for even part of your commute gives you health benefits. And catching a bus or calling for a ride is easy when you are already walking.
5. Rideshare
Ridesharing is not a cost-effective way to travel every day but is usually fast. If you’ve missed your bus or it’s raining outside, using a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft will get you to work on time.
Each of these businesses also offers a carpool option (Uber Pool and Lyft Line), in which other passengers may be picked up or dropped off on the way to your destination. You won’t get the car to yourself, but you will save a few bucks.
6. Carpool
If you already own a car and want to save on gas, or don’t have a car but are willing to split the cost of gas, carpooling may be for you. West Michigan Rideshare, a service from The Rapid, matches you with other people who have a commute similar to yours. By carpooling to work, you can save money and spend less time driving. There is no fee to sign up for West Michigan Rideshare.
No matter how you choose to get to work, always plan your trip to work before you leave. Being on time makes the day go smoothly and is an easy way to impress your employer. Combine this with excellent work on the job and you will have no problem succeeding in your new role!
Please see The Job Post’s benefits for the special programs we offer to help our employees get to work!
