Who We Are

Getting There Together (GTT) is a collaboration of representatives from Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation, Essential Needs Task Force Transportation subcommittee, Faith in Motion, Michigan Land Use Institute, and Friends of Transit, all of whom are interested in the expansion of the public transportation services in our community.

Click here to see the full Getting There Together report.

Concerned Citizens for Improved Transportation (CCIT)

"Working to achieve a universally accessible, area-wide public transportation system."

CCIT is interested in the quality and quantity of the public transportation services for the greater Grand Rapids area. Organized in the aftermath of the 1996 defeated proposal for county wide service, CCIT has worked hard to expand area transportation service levels in addition to making sure that existing services are provided with the highest level of customer satisfaction. Currently, CCIT is working on:

- Achieving the priorities within Getting There Together

- Monitoring and being engaged in the activities of the Kent County public transportation study - the Transit Master Plan.

- Continuing to advocate for adequate state transit funding, both for operating support and capital match.

Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF) Transportation Subcommittee

"Working to ensure economical, easily available transportation to meet basic needs."

ENTF has been working since 1982 to help Kent County's most vulnerable citizens obtain the basics needed to be self-sufficient. The Task Force is increasingly moving the focus of its work to strategies that address the causes of poverty that create basic needs crises, which resulted in the development of the transportation subcommittee. Their main goals are to:

- Continue to work on priorities in the Getting There Together (GTT) strategic plan, especially securing funding for the county-wide public transit needs analysis.
- Continue to oversee developing the Ride Link single access transportation system.
- Continue advocating for adequate state transit funding, both for operating support and capital match.
- Release the updated Kent County Healthcare Transportation Resource Directory, published first in 2004, and disseminate via the County's website and other means.
- Continue working with the ENTF Food Subcommittee on an in-depth review of product transportation issues and resources within the food assistance system.
- Pursue details of coordinated public transit supporting self-sufficiency with the ENTF Coalition to End Homelessness.

"Advocating for a comprehensive public transportation system to be built that supports the dignity and freedom of all individuals; creates an open, hospitable and welcoming community; respects the environment; opens economic opportunity to all; and moves people where they need to be."

Faith in Motion (FIM)

An interfaith coalition of religious communities in the greater Grand Rapids area that are interested in supporting public transportation. Their Main goals are to:

- Raise awareness of the importance of public transportation to the community
- Work towards the creation of a comprehensive public transportation system in the greater Grand Rapids area

Mission and Vision
With a prophetic voice, the religious communities of metropolitan Grand Rapids call for a comprehensive public transportation system to be built in our community. We believe that a usable and viable transit system is a means to:

• support the dignity and freedom of all individuals,
• create an open, hospitable and welcoming community,
• respect the environment
• open economic opportunity to all and
• move people where they need to be.