County officials announced new routes and bus stops Friday, as well as extended hours on Saturdays and most holidays, in an effort to increase public transportation on the island. The changes take effect this week. Mayor Bryan Baptiste said in
County officials announced new routes and bus stops Friday, as well as extended hours on Saturdays and most holidays, in an effort to increase public transportation on the island.
The changes take effect this week.
Mayor Bryan Baptiste said in a statement that the changes are two years in the making, and the result of discussions with the community, the County Council and the Transportation Advisory Committee.
“Now we’re ready to implement the latest phase, which we hope will encourage more people to ride The Kaua‘i Bus and help to alleviate some traffic congestion,” Baptiste said.
Tomorrow marks the launch of several South Shore routes.
Built predominantly for commuters, Route 300 departs from Kalaheo Neighborhood Center at 6:20 a.m. and arrives at Wal-Mart at 7:28 am. A second bus is scheduled to leave Kalaheo at 7:20 a.m. and reach Wal-Mart at 8:28 a.m.
Stops include the Lawa‘i Post Office, Koloa Telephone Exchange, Koloa School, Kukui‘ula Store, Kiahuna Drive, the intersection of Poi‘pu and Ho‘owili roads, Poi‘pu bypass road, Koloa Post Office, Koloa ball park, a bus stop across from Kaua‘i Community College, Kukui Grove Center, Lihu‘e Big Save, Wal-Mart, Wilcox Hospital, Aloha and Hawaiian airlines at the Lihu‘e Airport and the Lihu‘e Courthouse.
Leaving from the airport four times a day between 7:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Route 350 should service visitors and airport employees alike. The southbound bus will make regular stops at the Lihu‘e Courthouse, Wal-Mart, Wilcox, Kukui Grove and KCC.
Riders can request additional stops along the route as well.
Route 30, the Koloa Shuttle, is a circular route between Koloa, Poi‘pu and Kalaheo created primarily to serve South Shore youth going to and from after-school activities. Buses on this route are slated to leave Koloa ball park five times a day between 1:38 p.m. and 5:38 p.m. and will stop at a number of locations upon request.
“We’re also going to beef up our Saturday and holiday bus service,” Janine Rapozo, executive for the Transportation Agency, said in an Office of Community Assistance release. “Hopefully, the increased bus services will result in a spike in ridership.”
Holiday and Saturday changes take effect Oct. 21, including the Kapahi Shuttle, or Route 60, a circular route between Kapa‘a ball park and Kapahi park.
Riders will be able to hop on a bus at the Kapa‘a ball park pavilion at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. 12:33 p.m., 2:33 p.m. and 4:33 p.m. and get off at any of the regular stops or at a number of other stops in the area upon request.
Regular stops include the Kapa‘a Public Library, Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center, Mahelona Hospital, Kapa‘a High School, across from St. Catherine’s Church or Menehune Food Mart or Mahelona Hospital, Kapahi Park, the intersections of Kawaihau and Kahana roads and Kawaihau and Malakia roads and Kojima Store.
Route 70 — the Lihu‘e Shuttle — will also make its weekend debut next Saturday, running a circular route through the Lihu‘e business district and the airport out of Kukui Grove.
Stops include Kukui Grove Executive Center — HMSA building, Kmart, across from the Garden Island Inn, Kaua‘i High School, Lihu‘e Airport — Aloha and Hawaiian airlines, Lihu‘e Courthouse, Vidinha Stadium, Midpac Auto Center, Midas Auto Service, Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, Lihu‘e Big Save, Rice Shopping Center and across from Ace Hardware.
“Because of the tremendous interest expressed in Saturday and holiday services, we’re also adding new bus stops to some of our existing routes,” Rapozo said.
On the Lihu‘e to Kekaha mainline, Route 200, riders can now embark at Lihu‘e Gardens, while North Shore residents will have the option to catch the bus at Kilauea gym on routes 400 or 500.
The Kaua‘i Bus has had a busy year, most recently running extended service for the primary election day in late September. In June, feeder routes to the Wailua area were added and pick-up times at Lihu‘e bus stops were adjusted to make it convenient for KCC students and state and county workers to hop on the bus, county officials said.
The Lihu‘e Lunch Shuttle made its initial run in May, and before that, in January, a new bus route was started on the Westside for after-school activities.
Last December, late-night buses were added for holiday shoppers.
“With the high price of gas, those who ride The Kaua‘i Bus save a lot of money,” Rapozo said.
Bus Passes
Monthly $15
Adult $1.50
Senior $0.75
Age 7 to 18 $0.75
Under 6 Free
(accompanied by adult)
Schedule:
Monday through Friday — 5:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Saturday — reduced schedule
No service Sunday and major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
More info:
www.kauai.gov
241-6410
