2025-03-24 Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes

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Commissioner Molina at 11:27 a.m., expressed her concerns about Hele-On buses leaving earlier or later than the scheduled departure time and the need to be more consistent. She described incidents that are affecting hotel employees working in the Waikoloa area. Acting Administrator Bergum thanked Commissioner Molina for providing that information and bringing that issue to his attention. Acting Administrator Bergum explained that there are GPS systems on the Hele-On buses which can check the exact time buses are arriving and departing but he will bring this issue back to the operations team to discuss. Chair Terlep asked if there was a policy in place regarding the decision on when a bus driver can depart from a bus stop, as to which Acting Administrator Bergum said drivers must stick to the schedule unless they are given prior approval to deviate from the set scheduled times. Acting Administrator Bergum at 11:30 a.m., presented the Mass Transit Agency report and overview which included the Mass Transit Agency’s organizational structure, mission and vision statement, agency goals, fixed route bus system, paratransit services, HCEOC, Vanpool, shared ride taxi program, taxicabs, and ridership data. Chair Terlep at 11:32 a.m., asked if the Mass Transit Agency identified whether the free ridership was the driving mechanism for the increase in ridership. Acting Administrator Bergum said that it was a big part of it and that during covid the decision to go fare-free was made to help boost ridership which it did significantly. Chair Terlep also asked about future route structuring and if route structuring was also a big driver as well. Acting Administrator Bergum said that the Mass Transit Agency is currently looking at route structuring and that the department has been getting a lot of good positive feedback from the community meetings. Commissioner Matsubara at 11:33 a.m., asked about the RFP with Robert’s Hawaii. Acting Administrator Bergum explained that the contract is currently under an extension until August 2025 and that the new RFP is currently being routed which will be a 3-year contract. Commissioner Matsubara at 11:34 a.m., asked about the status of the hydrogen buses. Acting Administrator Bergum stated that US Hybrid, who would help fuel and maintain the hydrogen buses, is no longer working with the Mass Transit Agency, so as of right the two buses are not in operation. Acting Administrator Bergum said that the Mass Transit Agency is currently in the planning phases with NELHA as a new facility, base yard and staff are needed for operation. Commissioner Cruz at 11:36 a.m., asked about the battery electric buses. Acting Administrator Bergum explained that the 4 battery electric buses have been purchased and are arriving this summer. At that time, they will be exercised to see what routes they will run.