COM 0137.002 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page l of 3 Murashige, Laura 37 PICOUNCIL. . _ From: Steph Bath [stephbath @gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 1:10 PM 1. To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us Subject: Hele on bus service to Hilo airport Stephanie Bath P.O. Box 457 Keaau, Hawaii 96749 933 -1131 Bi1135 support 4/5/2011 (time disallowed for editing, please bear with any typos) Aloha Council, Thank you so much for considering bus service to Hilo airport 1 am in favor of amending of the PCDP relating to hele on bus service to Hilo airport for the following reasons. First the topic was discussed extensively during our CDP process with positive input!. A while back Tom Brown of MTA addressed the Action Committee of the PCDP and indicated that one reason they are not considering buses to Hilo airport is to insure the special interests of the small business taxi drivers. This was a big concern to many. The assumption is that people have someone that can run them to the airport or pick them up. With gases prices the way they are now, for someone living in Mountain View $10 each way would barely compensate the caring friend or family member for gas. (not to mention time) Presently parking fees have skyrocketed at the airport making parking a financial hardship for some. The ride share coupon arrangement is currently not user friendly. From a practical perspective the ride share only works for those living in Hilo within a 4 mile radius of the airport. This seems exclusive to me. The MTA office is the place to pick up coupons. Unfortunately, those who rely on bus service may not be able to get to MTA during business hours due to bus routes and schedules. It should not have to take a days bus travel to get coupons. This is the case for someone from Upper Puna or Pahala. Are you aware that in order to purchase coupons you must show I.D. That is a bit invasive. Additionally riders are limited to the number of coupons they can purchase per week. If the rider has been unable to get to MTA to purchase coupons they are informed that they must pay full fare to/ from the airport. This has a negative impact on Island visitors and kamaaina alike. They do not have choice short of walking or hitchhiking. With rising gas costs I suspect that the subsidized taxi small businesses will be required to raise the fee for ride share coupons. The County will likely need to subsidize these more. Do we have this in the MTA budget? Regarding protection of small business. Comm. No. /3 7. Z Ref. To: 14 * C Ref. Dote APR 2 0 2011 4/5/2011