Press Release: Harbor Transit Awarded IPAF Funding for Service Expansion
Harbor Transit Receives Michigan Transit Investment to Expand Service Hours and Add a Service Extension Point at Grand Valley State University in Allendale
Ottawa County, Mich – Harbor Transit has been selected to receive $621,047 through the MichiganDepartment of Transportation’s (MDOT) Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund (IPAF) to expand their service hours and launch a new service extension point at Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus. The Harbor Transit Service Expansion Project will create lasting benefits for residents throughout the service area by removing transportation barriers that limit access to employment, education, and healthcare. The project will improve quality of life, increase economic opportunity, and establish critical regional connections that support long-term community growth and prosperity.
The project will address significant transportation gaps in Northwest Ottawa County. Major employment sectors in West Michigan, including healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and food service, frequently operate beyond traditional business hours, and Harbor Transit’s expanded service hours will significantly improve workforce mobility by enabling residents to access second-shift and evening employment opportunities. “We are incredibly excited to embark on this service expansion project,” said Scott Borg, Executive Director at Harbor Transit. “The expansion of our service hours will be life-changing for area residents who do not have a personal vehicle, and now they will have better access to employment, medical care, and other essential services.”
The proposed service hours for the expansion project are Monday-Friday, 5:00am-11:00pm; Saturday, 9:00am-11:00pm; and Sunday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Harbor Transit plans to implement the proposed service changes in early 2027, as operational capacity allows.
With IPAF support, Harbor Transit will also launch a new service extension point in Allendale, at the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) campus, which will create educational opportunities for residents throughout Harbor Transit's service area. This proposed extension point at GVSU will also provide residents with access to the Grand Rapids area through The Rapid’s public transit service, improving access to healthcare, education, employment, and social activities.
Harbor Transit is one of 17 IPAF recipients in Michigan in 2026. The Neighborhood Roads Fund, created by Public Act 16 of 2025, includes dedicated funding for public transportation projects through IPAF, providing long-term, sustainable funding for public transportation and supporting new or enhanced transformational transit options across Michigan. “Expanding access to reliable public transportation can make a meaningful difference for people across these communities,” said Jean Ruestman, administrator of MDOT’s Office of Passenger Transportation.
“MDOT is proud to work alongside local and regional partners to strengthen public transportation and improve connections, helping more Michiganders reach jobs, healthcare, education and other essential destinations.”
About the Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund (IPAF)As part of last year’s landmark nearly $2 billion Sustainable Road Funding Plan, the Neighborhood Roads Fund (NRF) was established to provide additional transportation funding for projects across Michigan. The NRF includes dedicated funding for public transportation through the Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund (IPAF). IPAF provides long-term, sustainable funding to strengthen existing transit services and support new or enhanced transformational transit options. The 2026 IPAF funding selection committee includes representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT), the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO), and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME).
About the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT)The Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT) administers MDOT’s passenger transportation programs, including local transit, intercity bus, vanpools, passenger marine, mobility innovations, and private motorbus regulation. OPT coordinates the development and management of operating, capital, and technical assistance programs and projects with local and regional transit agencies, authorities, and private passenger carriers to provide safe and efficient transportation.
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Since 1975, Harbor Transit has connected communities throughout Northwest Ottawa County by providing safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation. Serving a 55-square-mile area with a fleet of 29 accessible vehicles, Harbor Transit helps residents and visitors access essential services, healthcare, employment, and educational opportunities. Through on-demand, curb-to-curb transportation and the Lakeshore Trolley’s deviated fixed-route service, Harbor Transit remains committed to improving mobility, strengthening community connections, and enhancing quality of life across its service area.
