The Interurban Transit Partnership operates a public transit system called The Rapid, which provides bus service to the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolitan area and beyond. The Rapid was recognized in 2004 and 2013 by receipt from the American Public Transportation Association of an "Outstanding Public Transportation System Award". In , the system had a ridership of , or about per weekday as of . Formed by the City of Grand Rapids in 1963 as the Grand Rapids Transit Authority, the system became a regional authority in July 1978 and was renamed the Grand Rapids Area Transit Authority, or GRATA. In January 2000, it reorganized as the Interurban Transit Authority, and soon adopted "The Rapid" as its branding. Branding In September 2006, The Rapid unveiled a new look for the buses to match the design of the Central Station platform which opened in 2004. The older red, blue and yellow striped buses were replaced over the following eleven years with the new design, which features waves of white and blue. A new website was launched shortly after the new buses were introduced. New features of the website include e-mail updates by route as well as other services, and the ability to buy passes online. Service area Aside from the City of Grand Rapids, the system also serves the cities of East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming. Some routes extend into neighboring townships including Alpine Township (route 9), Byron Township (route 1), and Gaines Township (route 4). Services The Rapid operates 23 fixed bus routes, and special services for Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Ferris State University (see below). Rapid Central Station Address: 250 Grandville Ave SW Coordinates: Facilities: Opened in June 2004, the transit center is the main downtown hub for the transit system. The facility is also used by Greyhound Lines and Indian Trails for bus services to destinations outside the city. The Rapid Central Station is the first LEED-NC certified building in the United States in the market of Mass Transit. More information is available at the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan page on the bus line's Central Station. Charlesbrook Protection Services is currently contracted as uniform security for the Central Station. As of October 27, 2014, the new Grand Rapids Amtrak station offers inter-modal transit connections, lying immediately south of the bus station. Bus rapid transit Silver Line Silver Line.