In 1963, the bus system in Grand Rapids became publicly owned and was named the Grand Rapids Transit Authority (GRTA). In 1977, the group was reorganized as the Grand Rapids Area Transit Authority (GRATA), reflecting the regional focus of the bus service. In 2000, another reorganization resulted in the Interurban Transit Partnership (ITP). Shortly after, the ITP launched a new marketing campaign calling the bus service The Rapid. The ITP/Rapid serves the Grand Rapids metro area. Among the services offered in 2011 by The Rapid are the public bus system, West Michigan Rideshare and the GO!Bus for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Rev. Dennis Morrow is a local historian and pastor in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. Among other things, he serves as Chaplain for the Police and Fire Departments, Archivist for the Diocese Archives and as a volunteer at the Grand Rapids Public Library.