Hokama Proposes to Maintain Bus Rates with No Increases

Maui bus. Photo courtesy Office of Council Services.

By Maui Now Staff

Budget and Finance Committee Chair Riki Hokama is urging the council to delay bus fare increases in the fiscal year 2016 budget.

Under Hokama’s proposal, general monthly boarding passes would still be $45 and daily passes would maintain levels at $4 and general boarding at $2.

The proposal submitted by Hokama would also retain the $25 rate for senior citizens’ fixed routes and $30 for senior  and citizens’ paratransit routes; and the $30 rate for fixed and paratransit routes for students with valid ID.

The Department of Transportation is currently updating the county’s Short Range Transit Plan, to evaluate planning, policy and financial support for Maui’s transportation needs.

Hokama said he looks forward to reviewing the transit plan when it is issued in December, so that the committee can evaluate an appropriate bus fare structure. The item will surface for review during Tuesday’s council meeting.

“Holding-off on increasing bus fares at this time is a responsible policy action,” said Hokama in a press release statement.

The committee endorsed a $621-million budget for FY 2016, to be considered by full council for first reading on Tuesday, May 26 at 10 a.m.