LIHU‘E — April Taguiam of Lihu‘e chaperoned a group of eight keiki on The Kaua‘i Bus on Monday. “It’s free. It’s a holiday. So we thought we would take advantage,” Taguiam said about the President’s Day start of free public
LIHU‘E — April Taguiam of Lihu‘e chaperoned a group of eight keiki on The Kaua‘i Bus on Monday.
“It’s free. It’s a holiday. So we thought we would take advantage,” Taguiam said about the President’s Day start of free public bus rides on the island through March 10. Taguiam said one young man was experiencing his first bus ride.
“Over the past year, bus services have greatly expanded on Kaua‘i,” Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. stated in an earlier news release. “We’ve added bus routes, bus stops as well as late night runs and weekend service. This promotion will allow everyone the opportunity to check out The Kaua‘i Bus and see how convenient and comfortable mass transit can be.”
One rider coming in from the Kekaha run to the Kukui Grove Center bus stop on Monday said a lot of the buses were arriving full with more than a handful of riders being first-timers on The Kaua‘i Bus.
“I ride the bus every day,” the rider said. “And today it’s full. There are a couple of elderly ladies who have never ridden until today. I don’t know where they’re going, but they got off ahead of me and are waiting for another bus.”
Shelcy Moniz was waiting at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center bus stop with her friend to catch a bus to Koloa.
“Oh yeah, I forgot. It’s free today,” said Moniz, who added that she already has a monthly bus pass.
During the free ride period, bus riders have two ways to win bus passes. Three prizes will be offered in each category — 12-month, six-month and one-month bus passes.
The simplest way is to fill out an entry form and deposit it in the designated receptacle on the bus, the county stated in the news release.
Another way is to capture a memorable bus experience with a cell phone or camera and submit the photo via email to sblane@kauai.gov.
Photos selected will be featured on the county’s website or Facebook page, and also entered into a drawing for a free bus pass.
The Kaua‘i Bus operates Monday through Friday from 5:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., depending on the route. Reduced schedules are in effect during weekends and selected holidays.
There is no bus service on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Bus route information is posted at most bus stops and on the county’s website at www.kauai.gov.
Brochures listing bus routes are available on all county buses and at a number of locations around the island, including the Lihu‘e Airport and the Princeville Public Library.
Visit www.kauai.gov or call 241-6410 for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
