13 additional school bus routes to be restored in Central Oʻahu and East Hawaiʻi on Monday

Thirteen previously suspended school bus routes in Central Oʻahu and East Hawaiʻi Island will be reinstated starting Monday, Sept. 16, restoring service for nearly 300 student bus riders at eight schools, according to the state Department of Education.

The latest restored routes will be serviced by bus service providers Ground Transport Inc., Roberts Hawaiʻi, and Polynesian Adventures. Parents and guardians of student riders will be notified directly of restored routes and any necessary route modifications.

The following school bus routes will resume service, effective Monday, Sept. 16.

OʻAHU

• ʻAiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area: 5 routes
  • ʻAiea Intermediate – HR01A, HR05A
  • Aliamanu Middle – HR11A, HR11B, HR24A
• Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area: 2 routes
  • Wahiawa Middle – CR14A
  • Leilehua High – CR14B

HAWAI‘I ISLAND

• Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area: 2 routes
  • Hilo Intermediate – TR05A, TR06A
  • Hilo High – TR05A, TR06A
• Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area: 4 routes
  • Keaʻau High – SR33A, SR33B
  • Pāhoa High & Intermediate – SR11A, SR13A

Following the restoration of the 13 routes next Monday, a total of 91 routes will have been restored. Efforts to restore the remaining 56 suspended bus routes are ongoing.

Ground Transport is actively recruiting new drivers, leveraging the governor’s emergency proclamation to streamline the hiring process. The proclamation allows drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a “P” endorsement – permitting them to transport passengers – to operate school buses temporarily, in lieu of the “S” endorsement specifically required for school bus drivers. The company is also exploring partnerships with other tour bus operators to further expand capacity.

More updates will be provided as additional bus routes are restored.