MENU
SEARCHThe Rapid has been working to transition its bus fleet away from diesel fuel to lower-emission options since 2017.
The Rapid’s fleet currently consists of 133 buses, 102 of which will have the capacity to run fully on RNG.
Photo: The Rapid
The Rapid announced it has begun receiving EPA-certified renewable natural gas (RNG) from the City of Grand Rapids’ biodigester.
“The partnership speaks to innovative ways that local governments can work with regional partners and support their sustainability goals while also reinforcing the city’s commitment to building a safe and healthy community,” said James Hurt, Grand Rapids’ managing director of Public Services.
The Rapid has been working to transition its bus fleet away from diesel fuel to lower-emission options since 2017, and the new partnership will create a renewable natural gas supply for Rapid buses that is produced by converting concentrated waste to fuel, according to the agency's news release.
The renewable fuel source captures methane from the decomposition process, converting it into usable vehicle fuel and redirecting the waste away from local landfills.
“This partnership is a win-win-win for The Rapid, the City of Grand Rapids, and the region,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. “We’re fueling a cleaner fleet and significantly reducing our carbon footprint. This innovative partnership represents the creativity and collaboration that is necessary to develop strategies across multiple sectors to create better outcomes for the climate and the community.”
RNG fuel is considered carbon-negative, producing the lowest carbon intensity of any on-road vehicle fuel.
The Rapid will be able to utilize this fuel immediately in the fleet without the need for massive infrastructure changes or investments.
“We continue to explore a pathway to a zero-emissions fleet, but the advantage of RNG is that we can put it to work in our buses right now. We don’t need to wait to start improving our environment and community,” said Steve Schipper, COO of The Rapid.
The Rapid’s fleet currently consists of 133 buses, 102 of which will have the capacity to run fully on RNG.
Diesel buses will continue to be retired and replaced by RNG vehicles, in a continued effort to reach zero emissions by 2035.
In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.
Read More →
Coalition leaders outline priorities for preserving bus funding, maintaining competitive grants, and ensuring flexibility for transit agencies nationwide.
Read More →
Two battery-electric buses entered service on Earth Day, with four additional vehicles expected to join the fleet this summer. Seven more buses are planned for the end of 2027, bringing Metro’s total zero-emission fleet to 13.
Read More →
Agencies from California to New York offered fare-free rides, community cleanups, and new tools to showcase transit’s role in cutting emissions.
Read More →
A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.
Read More →
The Santa Monica agency’s new charging infrastructure and fleet expansion aim to improve air quality, equity, and long-term system resilience.
Read More →
In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.
Read More →
Sustainability Partners’ Arnold Albiar discusses how a service-based approach is helping airports and public agencies deploy and manage electric fleets more efficiently.
Read More →
NYSERDA funding will support electric microtransit and secure bike storage to improve first- and last-mile connections across downstate New York.
Read More →
In this conversation, TBC’s Executive Director Ed Redfern, President Corey Aldridge, and Washington Representative Joel Rubin outline the coalition’s key policy priorities, the challenges facing transit agencies, and how industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen the voice of bus transit at the federal level.
Read More →