Michigan Grand Valley State University (GVSU) students, faculty and staff are returning to campus this week and have a new transit option to travel between GVSU’s Allendale campus and downtown Grand Rapids: the Laker Line.
The Lake Line is The Rapid’s – and the state of Michigan’s – second bus rapid transit (BRT) line. The Rapid calls the opening of the Laker Line “the next innovative step in the 20-year partnership between The Rapid and Grand Valley State University.”
“The Laker Line project is an energizing example of the collaborative spirit of West Michigan,” said Nick Monoyios, planning manager and Laker Line project manager at The Rapid. “Through planning, development and construction, the seven-year partnership between federal, state and local agencies has successfully made Michigan’s second BRT a reality. I’ve been privileged to work alongside an array of dedicated project staff in service to my alma mater, GVSU.”
The $72.8-million project was funded with a grant covering 80 percent of the cost from the Federal Transit Administration through the Capital Investment Grant Program and a 20-percent match from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The Laker Line serves 13 stations and features transit signal priority, 16 high-capacity, articulated compressed natural gas buses, level platform boarding with precision docking of vehicles, off-board fare collection and a new light maintenance facility. The 60-foot articulated buses also have on-board Wi-Fi, USB charging ports on all seats and internal display screens for service messages.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
