Life in Grand Rapids - Transportation
Find your Way Around
As an AQ student, getting around Grand Rapids is simple.
Whether you use buses, bikes, scooters, or rideshare, here’s what you need to know
about getting to and from campus:
The Rapid is Grand Rapids' public bus transit system, offering $.25 rides for all Aquinas students, faculty, and staff, (show your ID!). The #14 bus stops both eastbound and westbound on Fulton near the St. Thomas Aquinas statue.
Electric scooters & bikes
Lime is Grand Rapids' e-scooter and e-bike share service, offering an easy and affordable way to get around the city. Nearby parking zones are on Fulton St., Wealthy St., and Lake Dr. If you sign up with your Aquinas email, you get a 30% discount on trips. How it works
AQbikes
AQbikes offers the Aquinas community bike rentals, repairs, and more, with a fleet of 40 bikes available to rent by the day, weekend, month, or semester AQbikes
All vehicles parked on the Aquinas College campus require a current and valid parking permit. Aquinas uses a virtual permit system, meaning no physical sticker is needed after registering online. Permits can be registered and managed at any time through the online parking portal.
For more information about Campus Parking, see: Aquinas College Parking Regulations and Parking Lot Map.
Visitors to campus may purchase a day pass for $3 or a semester permit for $40 through the online parking system. Parents and grandparents can obtain a free annual parking permit by stopping by the Campus Safety Office with the sponsoring student. For questions about parking or assistance finding a spot for an event, contact Campus Safety at 616-632-2462.
See Aquinas Permit Store to purchase your parking pass online. View the Parking Lot Map.
Take US-131 to the I-196* (Gerald R. Ford Expressway) East exit. Follow I-196 and exit at Fuller Ave. Turn right (south) on Fuller Ave. and drive to Fulton Street. Turn left. Follow Fulton Street to Aquinas College Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center. Turn right into the parking lot off of Fulton Street. *For the Admissions Office, continue past the main entrance and turn right into the Hruby Hall parking lot.
Full directions can be found here: Directions and Maps.
A campus parking map and permit registration are available through the Campus Safety Office or at cso@aquinas.edu.
Amtrak
The Vernon J. Ehlers Amtrak Station is the city's Amtrak stop and sits immediately south of The Rapid's transit hub. The Pere Marquette line connects Grand Rapids directly to Chicago, making it a convenient option for students traveling home or exploring the Midwest on breaks.
Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH)
The Downtown Area Shuttle is a free bus service connecting key destinations and parking lots throughout downtown Grand Rapids, running Monday through Friday and on weekends via the Transit and MyStop mobile apps.
Downtown Parking
The City of Grand Rapids offers street parking, ramps, and surface lots throughout downtown, with on-street payment available through the Motu mobile app.
Grand Rapids & Aquinas College
