#Nelson Nygaard

Microtransit may be a solution for Maui’s low-ridership bus areas, and a recent County of Maui Department of Transportation public meeting on the topic rolled out several details of the proposal.

The Waihe’e Villager and Kula Islander each see fewer than five riders per hour. Maui County hopes switching these routes to microtransit, which is like a hybrid between Uber and a public bus, will increase efficiency and cut wait times.

Microtransit is an on-demand, technology-enabled shared transportation service that uses smaller vehicles to provide flexible rides that are more responsive to passenger needs than traditional buses. The more frequent, flexible service would enhance fixed Maui Bus routes.