Laker Tips & Tricks: How to Use the GVSU Bus System

Written by Leah Erben

Posted on September 16, 2019

No car? No problem! The GVSU bus system can help you travel between both campuses, to Allendale, and throughout Grand Rapids. Here’s all the information you need about how it works and what bus you should take when. Where do you want to go?

I want to travel around the Allendale campus.

Kirkhof to North Campus

Bus Route 37 is the North Campus apartment shuttle that runs approximately every six to seven minutes. 

Monday through Thursday, 5:45 a.m. to 12:10 a.m.

Friday, 5:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

An aerial view of north campus.

  • Kirkhof Center

  • Mackinac Hall

  • High Tree Apartments

  • Campus West 

  • Campus Dr. and Center Dr. (within walking distance of North A and B Apartments, West A and B Apartments, and Kleiner Commons)

  • Campus Dr. at the Alumni House

  • High Tree Apartments

  • Boltwood Apartments (within walking distance of Speedway and Main St. Pub)

  • The Enclave and Main St. Pub (within walking distance of Conifer Creek Apts)

  • 48th Ave. and Lake Michigan Dr. (within walking distance of Burger King, Jimmy John’s, Jude's Barbershop, Biggby Coffee, and Main St. Pub)

  • 48 West Apartments (within walking distance of Menna's Joint and Ugro Coffee Shop)

  • Campus West Apartments (within walking distance of Meadows Crossing Apartments, Country Place Apartments, and The Lodge Apartments)

  • West Campus Dr. and Laker Village Dr. (within walking distance of the Children's Center, Baseball field, Rugby/Soccer field, and Laker Village Apartments)

Kirkhof to South Campus

Bus Route 48 is the route that quickly and conveniently connects you to south campus and runs about every four minutes on weekdays. Like the 37, the bus starts and ends at Kirkhof. 

Monday through Thursday, 5:45 a.m. to 12:10 a.m. 

Friday, 5:45 to 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A birds-eye-view of South Campus.

  • Children's Center (within walking distance of Laker Village Apartments)

  • Meadows/Campus West (within walking distance of Country Place Apartments and The Lodge Apartments)

  • Greek Housing (within walking distance of The Lodge Apartments, Evolve Apartments, and Alpine Apartments)

  • Canvas Townhomes (within walking distance of Evolve Apartments, Hillcrest Apartments, and Trio Townhomes)

  • Lot J Commuter Permit Parking (within walking distance of Laker Village Apartments, and Campus View Apartments)

  • Pierce St. and 42nd Ave. (within walking distance of Laker Village Apartments, Campus View Apartments, and the Campus Health Center)

  • Calder Dr. and South Campus Dr. (within walking distance of The Blue Connection and Honors Housing)

I want to get downtown.

Kirkhof or Mackinac to Pew campus

Take the 50 to get downtown. Hop on the 50 Eastbound at either Mackinac or Kirkhof and it will take you directly to the Pew campus. When you are returning from the Pew campus to Allendale, take the 50 westbound. The 50 runs approximately every six minutes.

Monday through Thursday, 5:35 a.m. to 1 a.m. 

Friday, 5:35 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pew Campus at night.

  • Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences

  • Michigan and Bostwick (Westbound only. Walking distance to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital. Transfer opportunity for Silver Line)

  • DeVos Place (Transfer opportunity for Silver Line)

  • Monroe and Louis (Westbound only. Transfer opportunity for Silver Line)

  • Front Ave. between Eberhard Center and DeVos Center (Transfer opportunity for Route 12)

  • Seward Ramp (Transfer opportunity for Route 9 and Route 12)

  • Lake Michigan Dr. and Covall shopping plaza (Transfer opportunity for Route 12)

  • Lake Michigan Dr. and Collindale (Transfer opportunity for Route 12. Within walking distance to Family Fare and Speedway)

  • Bayberry Apartments (Transfer opportunity for Route 12)

  • Walker Fire Station (Park and ride location)

  • Lake Michigan Dr. and Wilson Meijer (Transfer opportunity for Routes 7 and Route 12. Park and ride location, walking distance to Meijer, Panera Bread, Jet’s Pizza, and more)

I want to travel around Grand Rapids.

  • Once the 50 has taken you downtown, transfer to Eastbound West Fulton (Route 12)
  • Get off at Rapid Central Station
  • Get on the Southbound Eastown/Woodland (Route 6)
  • Get off at Wealthy and Lake Dr.
  • Get off the 50 downtown and get on West Fulton bus (Route 12)
  • Get off at Rapid Central Station
  • At Rapid Central Station, transfer to the Grandville/Rivertown Crossings (Route 8) bus
  • Get off at the Rivertown Crossings bus stop

I want to use the bus system on the weekend.

On the weekends, Route 37 and 48 are combined in Route 85. The 50 still runs on the weekends but has different hours. Both the weekend 50 and the 85 run:

Friday, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can expect the busses to come slightly less frequently than they do during the week.

The Rapid Bus on Pew Campus.

Now that you know how the bus system works, you can rest easy and know that you’re more likely to make it to class on time. For more information on the busses and a complete bus schedule, visit the GVSU transportation services website.


Page last modified September 16, 2019
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