2014-12-11 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Mitchell said there will be 1,100 people in a new area near the civic center, Kaiser Permanente, Hawaiian Homes, Kealakehe High School, Honokāhau Harbor and the airport. Ms. Kelly said that is over 1,800 people by 2015. Ms. Maddox stated it doesn’t guarantee that all 1,800, or even a significant portion, are necessarily going to ride the bus. She suggested an example would be to show how a hub at the airport could feed short distance routes from a connecting point at the airport to feed the Kaiser/Palamanui area. Mr. Mitchell commented people could drive to the airport, park their vehicles there and catch a bus heading south or one that is heading north, serving the resorts in Kohala; that would ease a huge traffic burden. Ms. Kelly noted a taxi ride from the airport is $60 minimum for two people. She thinks if there were better service, like a County shuttle system, visitors would be willing to pay $20 each. Mr. Mitchell said it is like two things: putting forth the recommendation but also an opportunity to raise revenue. Ms. Maddox asked Mr. Mitchell if raising revenue would become a separate recommendation. Mr. Mitchell replied revenue sharing. He said there are already reports available that provide concrete numbers. Ms. Maddox asked Mr. Mitchell if he would be willing to draft language related to revenue enhancement. Mr. Mitchell replied yes. Ms. Garson said to articulate what would be on the next agenda as a recommendation. Ms. Maddox said Mr. Mitchell will draft language related to revenue and that would be on the next agenda for discussion. Ms. Garson clarified the revised recommendation language as, “Explore the use Mass Transit hubs as a means of improving the system as a whole which would cut down on repair and maintenance costs.” Mr. Mitchell said the hubs will be created to have more rapid and quicker response bus routes versus one bus for one bus route. Ms. Maddox asked if the recommendation should be moved forward to consider the language or incorporate into the draft. Ms. Kelly thinks it should be moved forward and work on the language. Ms. Garson stated the language that would be moved forward would be, “Explore the use of Mass Transit hubs for more rapid bus routes as a means of improving the system as a whole which would cut down on repair and maintenance costs.” Ms. Kelly suggested more rapid and shorter distance routes. Mr. Mitchell said, in turn, it will improve service and reduce maintenance costs. Mr. Espejo commented as an example, if a rider is going from Puna to Hilo, they change buses, and then from there to the Kona airport, they change buses again to get to the hub to their destination. Mr. Mitchell replied sure, that could be normal, versus one bus that does it all. He thinks if riders see the savings, they would understand the hubs. Mr. Espejo is concerned about the time for people; the bus ride is going to take two hours even it’s one bus, now there will be three buses. He doesn’t know how that will help the workers travelling from other areas. He agreed with the hubs but still thinks buses are needed to go certain places directly; he wants to make sure the language reflects that. Mr. Mitchell agreed and said there are a couple bus lines that are high ridership and cost effective. Ms. Maddox said the language could be to explore the use of mass transit hubs to increase the number of routes, shorter routes, efficiency and lower repair and maintenance costs. Mr. Espejo is not sure of that language either; how is it going to lower maintenance costs, the buses still run, they are going to incur the same maintenance costs. Ms. Maddox said in terms of the system right now, the only mechanics are in Hilo; if a bus breaks down on the Kona side, another bus will have to 7