Amid an outpouring of community support, the Kaua‘i County Council is rightly moving forward on the administration’s initiative to use $575,000 from the surplus to increase bus service throughout the island. With fuel prices again heading toward the $4 mark
Amid an outpouring of community support, the Kaua‘i County Council is rightly moving forward on the administration’s initiative to use $575,000 from the surplus to increase bus service throughout the island.
With fuel prices again heading toward the $4 mark and no relief in sight, this boost to our meager public transportation system is much needed.
Despite the recent rate hike, bus passes remain affordable to residents who utilize them for communiting to work, visiting relatives at the hospital or simply accessing other parts of the island for recreation.
If approved, the county plans to utilize the money to extend bus service until 10 p.m. on weekdays and launch a Sunday route. The Kaua‘i Bus currently operates from 5:25 a.m. to 7:50 p.m., Monday through Friday; and from 6:20 a.m. to 5:50 p.m., Saturdays and holidays.
The proposed expansion will allow more community members to utilize this service, taking more vehicles off our overly congested roads. If enough residents take advantage of the bus, the service should more than pay for itself in savings by reducing the need for street repairs and highway widenings.
And we can’t understate the benefit of cutting down on carbon emissions. On Wednesday, the skies were so clear we could see O‘ahu some 90 miles away. We don’t want to even envision a Kaua‘i with smog-filled air like L.A., so let’s do our part by investing in a service that will help keep the Garden Isle clean and help us all breathe easy.
With a proven track record, we hope the county Transportation Agency continues to seek responsible solutions to any speed bumps that may rise up as this initiative is rolled out.
We also would like to see more Park & Ride facilities not only created around the island, but actively promoted by the county. If no one knows they’re there, what’s the point? Carpooling in general is another effective way to reduce the number of cars on the road.
After hearing public testimony and working on the legislation in committee this week, the council is expected to consider the bill for final approval next Wednesday.
We urge the council to pass this important measure unanimously when it reaches the full body for second reading. And we call on the administration to implement it without delay.
But the expanded bus service is only as beneficial as we make it. The Kaua‘i Bus’s success and overall impact depend on us getting out of our cars and taking advantage of it.
