MAYOR TAKES DEMO RIDE ON DOUBLE DECK BUS

The county is considering the purchase of double-decker busses on the Valley Isle. Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares was among a small busload of people who took the 14-foot high bus on a demo run yesterday.

The diesel Enviro 500 bus can carry up to 81 passengers, with room for 17 people standing. It also has the ability to kneel down to make it easier for wheelchair access.

Mayor Steps Off Bus (L-R): County of Maui DOT Director Don Medeiros; Dept. of Planning Deputy Director Kathleen Aoki; Mayor Tavares; Jo-Ann Ridao (background), Deputy Director, Dept. of Housing & Human Concerns. Photo Courtesy: County of Maui.

Interior: Siblings Evan Sparkman, 8, and Isabella Sparkman, 6, of Wailuku, enjoyed their very first non-school bus ride. Photo Courtesy: County of Maui

“A double deck bus would be an environmentally-friendly, economical option four our transit system,” said County Transportation Director Don Medeiros. “By carrying more passengers with a single operator and just one engine, we can effectively lower our carbon footprint,” said Medeiros.

County officials are evaluating the effectiveness of the double-decker as they look at ways of better serving Maui’s growing transit bus ridership.

The bus was brought to Maui by vendor Soderholm Sales and Leasing, in partnership with Young Brothers Limited, which transported the bus from Oahu to Maui free of charge.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009; Information and Photos provided by the County of Maui.)