ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Can there be a mass transportation link between Holland and Grand Rapids?
That question has been discussed by various civic leaders over the years, and during tonight’s Zeeland City Council meeting, City Manager Tim Klunder is slated to provide an update on a proposed “West Michigan Express.” A report on a five-year study that concluded in February showed that, “while rail service would be the most preferred mode of travel for most commuters, it would be cost prohibitive at this time. Instead, the best ‘first step’ would be to provide a commuter-oriented bus service that runs on a schedule aligning with the various workforce shifts and offers convenient pick up and drop off points within a ½ mile of the Chicago Drive corridor.”
The West Michigan Express Working Group’s proposed next step, according to Klunder, “is to complete an employee/employer survey to get a true sense of expected ridership levels and determine if the system would be sustainable.” He added that, while Council is “not being asked to contribute to the cost of this survey, but (is being asked) to support the working group’s effort to try and raise some funds privately to underwrite the costs of the survey.”
The cities of Holland, Zeeland, Hudsonville, Grandville and Grand Rapids, along with the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council and the Grand Valley Metro Council, all received this report that was prepared by MP2 Planning, LLC.
