The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutRES 113 Draft 01 1980-1984County of Hawaii—State of Hawaii Resolution N g3 (AMENDED) WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii Hele-On Bus system has been operating in a "demonstration phase" since 1976, utiliz- ing 14 buses acquired with .Federal funds, and privately contracted bus drivers; and WHEREAS, current annual system ridership stands at approxi- mately 455,000 (in 1980), and has been growing at an annual rate of 8.8 percent; and WHEREAS,.system operation and maintenance costs have been increasing at an annual rate near 20 percent, reaching $763,200 in 1980; and WHEREAS,, because bus fares have remained unchanged since the inception of the system „ revenue generated in 1980 ($189,600) recovered only a relatively small proportion (24.8 percent) of the operation and maintenance costs; the remaining 75 percent of operation and maintenance costs was met largely by County govern- ment subsidy; and WHEREAS, if an operational status quo is maintained, the 1980 County subsidy level of $574,700 is projected to rise to more than $1,000,000 by 1983-84; and WHEREAS, the Hawaii County Mass Transit TasR Force offers recommendations for immediate implementation by the County govern- ment; and WHEREAS, these recommendations are based on information and figures requiring further refinement and analysis; and WHEREAS, the total impact of the proposal must be clearly understood before a total commitment can be made. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the following be implemented: A. Keep the Hele-On Bus system in operation for an interim "study phase" period. During this phase, all unanswered questions revolving around the long-term commitment to mass transit must be answered_ These include sources of funding for capital expenditures, as well as operational subsidies, and determining of fare structure with regard to costs to be recovered. For this period, contractual arrangements for bus drivers should also be maintained. B. Set annual subsidy level for each area system and rural route of the Hele-On system at 50 percent of operation and main- tenance costs and periodically adjust fares, adjust routes through reduction or expansion, or combination of both fare and route adjustments to meet mandated recovery cost. Provided, however, that any rate increase will be subject to Council approval. N EO C. Have the Mass Transit Agency explore the possibility o£ employer (e.g., Mauna Kea Beach destination routes), participation in the subsidy of existing Hele-On routes or direct employer assumption of transportation responsibilities for workers. D. The County should immediately seek available outside funding to undertake an in-depth look at the following areas of long-range concern: 1. Contractual Arrangements Determine if costs savings would result from switching from contractual drivers to County employees. Also, re-examine the current contract bidding for better cost control and operational flexibility. 2. Route Changes Investigate the feasibility of contracting the long distance/low-ridership routes (e.g., Kau -Hilo). Re-evaluate routes and/or frequently of service so as to fully utilize the available resources, and investigate the feasibility of integrating the Hele-On system with other County -run transportation programs (e.g., Senior Shuttle). 3. Capital Costs Determine the number of new buses required over time, both to replace existing buses and accommodate projected system growth and expansion. Determine the need, if any, for a bus maintenance facility and/or bus terminals, including bus stop rain shelters. Investigate the availability of Federal or State funding of new buses and maintenance facility. If not available, an alternate source of funding must be committed before proceeding. There is no doubt that buses will have to be replaced in the next couple of years and the County should know exactly where the money is coming from. 4. operation and Maintenance Subsidy The County should vigorously pursue State and Federal funding for some portion of the transit system's annual operation and maintenance subsidy and, if not available, be prepared to commit other sources of funds. I£ County General Fund is to continue to provide subsidy, what will be the long-term impact? Investigate other sources of funding like vehicle fuel tax or weight tax and its related impact. 5. Promotion Develop and implement promotional campaign strategies which make active use of all available media in promoting the Hele-On system, its services and schedules. RESOLUTION NO. 113 S1 (AMENDED) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate actions be taken by the Transportation Coordinator to implement these recommendations and a report be submitted by September 1, 1981. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawaii remit a copy of this resolution to the Mass Transit Agency Coor- dinator. Dated at Hilo, Hawaii, this COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii 3rd day of June , 1981. INTRODUCED BY: IV MEMBER, C I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawaii on ATTEST: COUNTY CLE June 3,1981 4..,1( aRMAN & SIDING OFFICER OF HAWAII ROLL CALL VOTE JAYESI NOES A/E De Luz. 111 x Domingo x Fujii x Hale x Kawahara x Lai x Schutte x Chr_ Yamashiro x Reference: r M.B. Na RESOLUTION NO 113 S1 (AMENDED)