Hawai’i Ends Subsidy for Vanpool Program

By Wendy Osher

File photo by Wendy Osher.

The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is ending its financial support of Vanpool Hawaii, citing a difficult fiscal environment.

The program was fully funded by the federal government, until April 2010.  When the federal funding ran out, the Hawaii DOT stepped in and paid $3.7 million to keep the program running.

The current contract is set to expire at the end of this month on June 30, 2011.

State DOT officials say they will give riders a minimum of 30 days notice of any increases in customer fees that will be required to offset the state subsidy.

The Vanpool Hawaii website states that on Maui, vehicle rates are currently based on a monthly seat fee of $65 per person for a Vanpool van and $80 per person for the more stylish Cool Pool vehicle option.