By Peter Varga and Thomas Haas

Today, perhaps more than ever, people demand meaningful choice in almost every aspect of their daily lives. Younger generations in particular are driving demand for new and innovative choices in how they live, work, and play.

That may help explain why we have seen the continuous growth on The Rapid’s most popular bus route – the Route 50 bus between downtown Grand Rapids and Grand Valley State University’s Allendale campus. It carries between 9,000 and 11,000 riders every weekday, connecting students between Grand Valley’s campuses, work, and leisure activities.

That is why we are studying enhanced transit options along the corridor, known as the Laker Line Study.

Related: Laker Line: $45.5M bus rapid transit proposal hopes to roll in 2018

We have taken a cutting-edge and direct approach to engaging the public in this effort and what we heard is reflected in the study outcome. Project planners will recommend a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line connecting Grand Valley State University in Allendale with the downtown Pew Campus and the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences on the Medical Mile.

Perhaps most striking is the feedback we have received from Grand Valley students – almost all of whom will no longer be at the university by the time this proposed project would be completed. Even knowing that they may not be the ones using it, they provided incredibly thoughtful and constructive feedback, much of which directly informed the decision making on planning the proposed transit mode, routing and amenities.

Related: 14 stations to anchor Laker Line system: See where they might go

It is clear through this process that young people have a great deal of pride and a sense of ownership in their transit system. They have made it clear that access to convenient transit options provides them with a greater sense of place. And perhaps most importantly, it helps make the region attractive as they consider where to start their careers and post-graduate lives.

The Laker Line will increase West Michigan’s continued investment in mobility and quality of life by making it easier to experience all that our area has to offer. By continuing to build on the momentum of the Silver Line, we can make our region a place that future generations want to continue to live, work and play.

Peter Varga is CEO of The Rapid.

Thomas Haas is president of Grand Valley State University