HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0450.003 2004-2006
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL TESTIMONY -Bill 154
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS &
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS ~ ~ 4 7 .i
Robert Ward
77-6526 Ho'olaupa'i St
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
I applaud the efforts of the Mayor and the Mass Transit Agency to
expand the operation of public transportation within the County of Hawaii.
Offering an island-wide kokua zone on a temporary basis will encourage
people to try the transit system. However, providing free transportation is
not the only option that will benefit residents with affordable
transportation.
Reducing fares with a simplified Weekly, Monthly and Annual pass
system can radically reduce transportation costs for residents while
reducing administrative costs of collecting daily fares. Not only will
residents be afforded the opportunity to "buy into" the service, but tourists
and visitors can contribute to the operation of the system, as well.
Atypical pass structure could range as low as:
Weekly: $5.00 to $10.00
Monthly: $10.00 to $20.00
Annual: $50.00 to $100.00
Hundreds of residents can save a thousand dollars or more per year
through reduced fares or eliminating a vehicle. The nearly two dozen cruise
ships that will visit the ports of Hilo and Kailua in October could provide
hundreds users. Other visitors and anticipated Hawaii Super Ferry
customers could mean thousands of users in the years to come.
A new rider may reduce two trips per day on our roads, but with daily
trips approaching a million, we need to aim much higher. These revenues
will help to expand service even more:
1) Existing routes need to be more accessible to potential users
2) Routes need more convenient scheduling to attract riders
3) Additional routes must be added so more residents can use the system
4) Expanded marketing and information with maps will increase usage
5) Enhanced reliability with GPS enunciators would improve service
6) Comfort and convenience will be improved with standard shelters
7) Passes can provide vital ridership data for managing system growth
8) Service can grow by consolidating some commercial services (that are
redundant) and some school transportation (that ranges from marginal
to poor)
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It would be prudent to evaluate the island-wide kokua zone to
measure how well it achieves its objectives before proceeding. It would be
relevant to determine if there are any unintended consequences related to
fugitives, runaways or homeless persons that need to be resolved, prior to
further consideration. It will be necessary to assess if there are any
adverse impacts on private carriers and taxis, before enacting legislation.
Free public transportation may be something that we "want" and not
necessarily what we "need". We look to our government to provide us with
what we need.
Thank you for your consideration,
Robert Ward
77-6526 Ho'olaupa'i St
Kailua Kona, HI 96740