Federal Grant Helps Maui Bus Meet Ridership Demands

Maui Bus file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Hawaii’s congressional delegation is being credited with the facilitation of a one million dollar federal grant to help maintain the Maui Bus fleet.

The money comes from the State of Good Repair Program administered by the US Department of Transportation. In total Maui, Kauai, Honolulu and Hawaii counties received $8.44 million to improve public transportation in their respective communities.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa responded to the news saying the funds will enable the county to improve services and routes by funding improvements to meet reliability and capacity demands.

“This money could not come at a better time,” said Mayor Arakawa.  “Our Maui Bus system has become so popular that buses have to leave people behind because we don’t have enough room for everyone.”

County Transportation Director JoAnne Johnson Winer said the grant will help Maui keep pace with the growing demand for transit services, which now exceeds 2.7 million passenger boardings per year.

“We are extremely appreciative of the $1,000,000 award, since we are competing with thousands of other communities for transit grants,” said Johnson Winer.

Among those credited with the facilitating the grant funding include US Senator Daniel K. Inouye, US Senator Daniel K. Akaka, US Representative Mazie K. Hirono and US Representative Colleen Hanabusa.