To meet the growing need for increased public transportation on the Westside on weekdays, county officials announced yesterday the addition of two new bus routes effective Oct. 1.
“The first two buses departing Kekaha at 5:27 and 6:15 a.m. on weekdays are at capacity,” said Janine Rapozo, executive on transportation, in a written statement. “So we’ve added another early morning route that leaves Kekaha at 5:57 a.m., which should provide relief to those who have had to stand and also add capacity for new riders.”
The afternoon routes heading out to the Westside have had high ridership, too, noted Rapozo, explaining that the 3:35 and 4:35 p.m. route 200 buses that leave Wal-Mart bound for Kekaha are also at capacity.
“To fill this demand, we’re adding a 4:05 p.m. route 200 bus,” Rapozo said.
Another recent change made to The Kaua‘i Bus schedule is the addition to route 200 of an on-call bus stop at Brydeswood located at the edge of Kalaheo.
“Hopefully, these changes will address the growing demand for bus service on Kaua‘i for now,” said Rapozo, adding that she along with the Transportation Advisory Committee are in the process of evaluating ridership on all the routes.
“If further changes need to be made, then we’ll certainly try to implement them,” said Rapozo.
In light of today’s high gas prices, Rapozo encourages residents and visitors to ride The Kaua‘i Bus.
She said, “Bus passes are just $15 a month and it entitles a rider to travel anywhere on the island that The Kaua‘i Bus goes.”
For the mainline routes, individual fares are $1.50 for adults, while seniors and youths ages seven to 18 pay 75 cents 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.
The Kaua‘i Bus operates Monday through Friday, 5:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. On Saturdays and most holidays, it runs on a reduced schedule.
No bus service is offered on Sundays, and major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Brochures listing bus routes are available on all county buses and at a number of businesses around the island including Big Save, Kukui Grove Center and Safeway.
For more information about The Kaua‘i Bus, call 241-6410 or go to www.kauai.gov
