2014-68 AC-Tiffany Kai hub and spoke letter

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October 14, 2014 Tiffany Kai, Administrator Mass Transit Agency County of Hawai'i 1206 Kamehameha Ave, Suite A-2 Hilo, HI 96720 RE: Mass Transit implementation of the hub and spoke system Aloha Tiffany, Thank you for the time and efforts you are making in planning mass transit for Puna at this time of transition. C x The Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee in its efforts to collaborate with the County, is recommending an immediate effort to initiate the implementation of the Puna hub and spoke system as outlined and mandated by the PCDP. This plan was adopted by ordinance in 2008. The current lava flow situation has heightened the priority to implement a Hele-on level of service to all of Puna. It is recommended that MTA create a secondary transit hub in Nanawale as an alternative to the Pahoa Secondary hub. A proposed circulation plan for Nanawale is included. Kea'au to Volcano loop. In the event that Chain of Craters Road becomes a primary roadway for residents, the established Volcano Cooper Center secondary hub is already in place. See the Puna Community Development Plan, Transportation Section 4.2.3, Action "c" which states: "Develop transit hubs at the following locations: 1) Kea'au (Primary Hub)... 2) Pahoa (Secondary Hub)...3) Volcano (Secondary Hub)...4) Mountain View or South Kulani (Secondary Hub) ...".. 1% 1% A simple looping of buses between Hilo and Kea'au and Kea'au secondary hubs will increase frequency of buses and decrease the duration of trips and wait time at bus stops for riders. This system will also give riders the opportunity to use services available in Keaau. This is something that is not a viable option at this time due to the current bus schedules. We request that the County consult with our Mass Transit Subcommittee as the public's representative in all MTA related decisions for Puna. We respectfully request an effort to initiate a hub and spoke mass transit system in Puna, not only to accommodate the current situation but to improve the long term enhancement of mass transit in this area. The Mass Transit Subcommittee and the PCDP Action Committee are willing to assist the MTA in any way possible to move this important project forward. Mahalo for your consideration of this request.