According to the city’s statistics, the use of buses dropped by around 40% following the COVID epidemic. In a few months, the city will focus on young drivers in order to reduce traffic. From Aug. 22 to 26, when the University of Hawaii’s fall semester starts, TheBus users will be able to take a free ride every day for five days.
Roger Morton, director of the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services said: “We know we are all used to the very low traffic levels during the summer and even during COVID but we also know this is not going to last forever.”
The city will temporarily suspend the cost of the Holo Card, reinstate 39 express bus routes that had been canceled because of COVID, and create a new route to connect express buses to schools like UH, Chaminade, and Kapiolani Community College.
The more frequent the system, the more appealing it will be for people to have the freedom to travel whenever they choose. John Andoh, Hawaii County Mass Transit Administrator, said that this is how people are being shifted from their cars to public transportation.
Hawaii County has pledged to provide free rides on Hele-On buses until the end of 2023. Andoh estimates customers could save up to $660.
Hawaii County’s revenue from fares was 5%, but the cost of collecting and charging them reduced it to 1-2%. The county is now supporting the program with federal funds of $6.4 million.
Andoh stated that “When you look at it in the big picture, using grant funds to cover fares is more cost-effective than having to collect them yourself.”
In order to prevent joy-riding, the government has set up laws that require Hele-On Bus passengers to have a specific destination. They also plan to send security officers to ride in safety.
The program must be extended beyond 2023.
Andoh stated, “If we find this program to be successful, we will see if county councils would consider funding the transit system, using other funding sources we can identify.”
The City Council Transportation Committee approved the Honolulu Fareless Program, but the program still needs to be approved by the entire City Council on August 10.
