Bus ridership hits 2 million mark

On March 2, at 4:38 p.m., Grand Valley recorded 2 million bus riders for the 2009-10 academic year. This is 20 days earlier than last year.

Grand Valley has experienced record bus ridership for the last 10 years. Ridership has increased every fall since a partnership between Grand Valley and The Rapid began in 2000. During the first month of classes for the 2009 fall semester, an average of 21,478 students rode the bus.

Bus ridership in 2008-09 saved students:
• $18,183,696 in auto operating costs
• 1,567,560 gallons of gas
• $3,651,197 in fuel costs

A total of 20 buses run about every 6-7 minutes. Grand Valley runs five separate routes, both within and around the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses seven days a week.