By Staff Reports
(LÎHU‘E) – Twenty new buses were recently added to the county fleet bringing the total number of buses to 56.
The new buses are set to roll out over the next few weeks with seven 29-seaters going on commuter routes, six 21-seaters on multiple routes and seven 14-seaters assigned to paratransit routes.
Each of the buses was blessed and named last Wednesday 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 $2,348,418 and the county’s share was $592,105.
Native Hawaiian kupuna “Uncle” Thomas Takahashi and some of the Transportation Agency staff gather following the blessing last week of 20 new buses. From L to R: Rosie Rapozo; Celia Mahikoa; Clem Correira; Takahashi; Derrick Leanio; Irineo Soriano and Richard Raralio.
“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 holidays, it runs on a reduced schedule.
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 Lîhu’e Airport and Princeville Library.
Currently, the cost of a monthly bus pass is $35 a month, while an annual pass is $350. Starting July 1, the new rates will be $40 for a monthly pass and $400 for an annual pass.
Monthly bus passes can be bought at Pono Market in Kapa‘a, the Menehune Food Marts in Kekaha, Kapahi and Kîlauea, as well as the Lîhu’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 improvement of its operations, which is part of the Mayor’s Holo Holo 2020 vision.