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REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE <br />ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT <br />DATE: September 2, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 11:02 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 429Bill No. 75 <br />Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Bill No. 75, reports <br />as follows: <br />Bill No. 75, transmitted by Acting Mass Transit Administrator Zachary Bergum, via Communication <br />No. 429, dated August 5, 2025, repeals Section 5 of Ordinance No. 22-94 and amends Chapter 18, <br />Article 4, Division 1, Section 18-90, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), <br />relating to fares for public transportation. <br />Bill 75 extends the temporary suspension of fares for all mass transit riders through December 31, <br />2028. The fare suspension will not apply to County -contracted shared -ride services or curb -to -curb <br />van services operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. <br />Committee Chairperson James E. Hustace invited Administrator Bergum to present to the Committee. <br />Administrator Bergum appeared alongside accountant Kelly Fujii. The Administrator presented an <br />update on agency operations, including current funding, ridership data, costs to implement fare <br />collection, and challenges for the agency. <br />Committee Members Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, and Kimball expressed concerns over future agency <br />funding. Committee Members Onishi and Villegas expressed concerns regarding security on the <br />buses and at bus stops. <br />Council Chairperson Holeka Goro Inaba expressed concern that the Mass Transit Agency will face <br />the same upfront costs to reimplement bus fares as presented to the Committee. Administrator <br />Bergum said that the agency will have a plan well in advance of the expiration of the suspension of <br />fares in 2028, should the bill pass. <br />Chair Hustace stated that the extension of the suspension of bus fares provides an opportunity for the <br />agency to implement fares and install necessary equipment on both County and contracted buses. <br />PCPWMT Report No. 5 <br />