2026-01-12 Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes

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monitoring them and suggested making a policy which provides clear designation of taxis and PUCs. Commissioner McBride stated that most tour companies will purchase another vehicle if they are doing something else. Deputy Corporation Counsel Wong asked if under the PUC rules does it mandate that only one vehicle be used. Mr. Gedaria stated that with PUC you can have the same number and add more vehicles. Commissioner McBride stated that under PUC you need to have a DOT number. Chair Terlep stated that this discussion was all state level jurisdictions and the framework the commission would need to stay in is how this affects the taxicab licensing. Commissioner McBride stated that what he is trying to do is to keep everyone in their boundaries. Chair Terlep asked Mr. Gedaria what percentage of revenue he would expect to receive from PUC and taxi. Mr. Gedaria stated for PUC it would be about 60 percent and for taxicab about 40-50 percent. No further discussion and Chair Terlep at 1:38 p.m. closed the discussion. MASS TRANSIT ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Chair Terlep at 1:38 p.m., introduced this item. Administrator Bergum reported on the following: Follow up: • Update on Hele-On's fare-free program. Extended to December 31, 2028. • Update on Kona transit hub progress. Originally looking at an area of land that was in front of the old K-Mart in Kona. Mass Transit is also exploring other options near the West Hawaii Civic Center. • Update on Pahoa transit hub progress. CATEX is currently with the FTA for approval. Once approved Mass Transit can move onto the land acquisition phase. • Update regarding the improvement of bus stops and bus shelters. Mass Transit is currently working with DPW to get 5 bus shelters installed in 5 months. Mass Transit completed one constructed shelter at Mud Lane in Waimea.Mass Transit is currently looking to install a bus shelter in Papaikou northbound and southbound on Hwy 19, at the Ainaloa roundabout northbound and southbound, and at Volcano village. These are currently the next shelters on the improvement list that will be completed. • Update on the Micro transit program. Mass Transit is currently waiting for a notice to proceed to purchase vans. Mass Transit is hoping to purchase 6 vans for the micro transit program. Microtransit will help people who live in more rural areas. The micro transit program will bring passengers to the nearest official bus stop which they can then take the bus to their final destination. • Update on Mass Transit Agency's vehicle fleet. Mass Transit is working on procuring 7 refurbished MCI buses which should be arriving at the end of June 2026. Mass Transit is also looking at procuring 7 hybrid buses and 3 additional diesel buses. Commissioner McBride at 1:41 p.m. asked if Hybrid is diesel as to which Administrator Bergum stated that it is a little bit of both like cars a diesel hybrid. New report: • Bus blessing in October 2025 of 9 paratransit vans and 4 battery electric buses. • Administrative Services Assistant I hired in November 2025. This position has been vacant for a couple of years. • Accountant I hired in January 2026. • Mass Transit Agency's annual ADA training will be held on January 29, 2026-February 5, 2026, for Mass Transit Agency's employees and its contractors. This training will also incorporate Title VI, Anti-Discrimination and Harassment training provided by the County of Hawaii Human Resources Department. During this training Mass Transit will stop services for one day.