Ask the Mayor: How are Bus Stops Determined?

Maui Bus at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Shopping Center. Maui Now photo.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Dear Mayor:

Q: With the expansion of the Maui County bus services, what is the protocol for choosing where to place bus stops in the community? What criteria does the county use when selecting where to place them within residential communities, and do the residents have a choice as to where the bus stops are placed?

I would not want a bus stop placed directly in front of my house, as I feel that my family’s and my property’s safety is compromised. I would not feel comfortable having people hanging out in front of my house all day long, sitting on my wall, looking into my garage and windows, etc., waiting for a bus, while we are at work.

What are my rights as a homeowner? Perhaps a better solution is to have a County of Maui service utilize a county facility, so that residential neighborhoods are not impacted. Thank you.

A: First, I’d like to reassure you that our county Department of Transportation works with local residents when concerns are voiced. Second, it’s important for residents to understand that when they live in areas located near county property or adjacent to county roadways, public amenities may one day need to be located adjacent to their property. This applies to any county property, as well as other departments (i.e. public works, water, parks, etc.) in terms of placing county amenities near adjacent landowners.

With that said, the process for site selection of bus shelters is based on ridership and the actual stops are based on rider requests or private developer negotiations as to placement. If a person lives on a county street, a portion of their frontage is dedicated as a county right-of-way to accommodate infrastructure such as sidewalks, utilities and other amenities, which may include bus stops if demands are placed on the county to provide such services to the area. As long as the legal process is followed while locating public amenities, the dedicated right-of-way belongs to the public and not to the private land owner.

Lastly, another consideration for placement of stops, besides rider demand, is whether or not the stop is near a crosswalk or signal controlled area. In areas with a loop route, it is possible to place a stop on only one side of the street, but in most areas, stops are located across from one another to allow people to board and disembark in the same area.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email, by phone at 270-7855 or by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the Ask the Mayor column.