Bus Route Modified to Alleviate Kihei Delays

By Wendy Osher

Maui Bus file photo by Wendy Osher.

The county will implement modifications to bus routes beginning on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 to alleviate delays plaguing the Kihei Islander route.

Department officials last month attributed the late arrivals  in part to weather related clean-up, heavy ridership, and the popularity of $2 daily passes.

The County of Maui Department of Transportation has made the following modifications:

• The Kihei Islander bus route will bypass the Maalaea Harbor Village bus stop in both directions and go directly to South Kihei Road. The pick-up times along South Kihei road will change approximately 5-15 minutes earlier, depending on the bus stop.
• The Kihei Villager and the Lahaina Islander routes will have newly modified schedules to connect passengers at Maalaea Harbor.
• The Wailuku Loop will have a newly modified schedule to connect with the Kihei Islander at the Queen Kaahumanu Center.

Students from Kihei, going to Baldwin High School are encouraged to take the Kihei Islander to Queen Kaahumanu Center and transfer to the Wailuku Loop at 7:30 a.m.   These students may also continue to use the Kihei Villager North of Piilani Shopping Center and transfer to Lahaina Islander at Maalaea at 7:05 a.m.

Bus pass availability:

The $2 daily pass will continue to be offered by bus drivers for the day it is purchased only. Beginning February 9, 2011, $2 daily bus passes will also be sold at the County’s Business Resource Center at the Maui Mall and at the Wharf Cinema Center Management Office in Lahaina. Both locations will offer pre-dated $2 daily passes for future days.