Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and some of the members of the Kaua‘i Bus ‘ohana gather after Native Hawaiian kupuna “Uncle” Thomas Takahashi blessed 20 new buses. From L to R: Kyle Sadamitsu; Bob Brun; Missy Caminos; Jeremy Lee; Robyn Nakata; Takahashi; Mayor Carvalho; Celia Mahikoa; Lani Furusho; Mario Yriarte; Tiffany Hiranaka; Tamara Duterte; and Sonny Sousa.
By Staff Reports
(LĪHU‘E) – Transit riders can look forward to the replacement of 20 aging buses in the Kaua‘i Bus fleet.
The new buses are set to roll out this week with nine (31 seats) going on commuter routes, six (21 seats) on multiple routes and five (14 seats) assigned to paratransit routes.
Each of the buses was blessed and named Tuesday by Native Hawaiian kupuna “Uncle” Thomas Takahashi.
Like previous acquisitions of county buses in recent years, the new buses were purchased with an 80/20 matching State of Good Repair (SGR) grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The FTA provided $2,167,778 and the county’s share was $541,944.
“We truly appreciate the support of our congressional delegation as it was largely through their efforts that Kaua’i received the State of Good Repair grant,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “Having the new buses will improve the reliability of our transit services, as well as reduce the expense of frequent repairs required with older vehicles.”
The Kaua‘i Bus operates Monday to Friday, 5:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., depending on the route. On Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays, it runs on a reduced schedule.
No bus service is offered on the following holidays: Thanksgiving; Christmas; and New Year’s Day.
Bus route information is posted at most bus stops and on the county website. Brochures listing bus routes are available on all county buses and at a number of locations around the island including the Līhu’e Airport and Princeville Library.
The cost of a monthly bus pass is $30 a month, while an annual pass is $300.
Monthly bus passes can be bought at Pono Market in Kapa‘a, the Menehune Food Marts in Kekaha, Lāwa‘i, Kapahi and Kīlauea, as well as the Līhu’e Civic Center at the motor vehicle registration window.
Another option is to purchase a one-month or an annual bus pass at The Kaua’i Bus office, 3220 Ho‘olako Street, across from the police headquarters.
For the mainline routes, individual fares are $2 for adults, while seniors and youths ages seven to 18 pay $1 for one-way travel. Children, six and under, ride free when accompanied by an adult.
Fares for the shuttle routes are less – 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for seniors and youths ages seven to 18.
For more information about The Kaua‘i Bus, please log on to the county website, www.kauai.gov, or call 246-8110.
Mayor Carvalho’s Holo Holo 2020 vision for Kaua’i calls for all organizations, businesses, residents and visitors on Kaua’i to be part of creating an island that is sustainable, values the native culture, has a thriving and healthy economy, cares for all – keiki to kupuna – and has a responsible and user-friendly local government.
The new buses support the overall mission of The Kaua’i Bus and allow for the expansion of its operations, which is one of the projects included in the Mayor’s Holo Holo 2020 vision.