HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 073 02/11/1986 1984-1988 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: February 11 , 1986
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 10 : 00 a .m .
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii
Your Committee on Public Works, to which was referred Bill 127
relating to Mass Transit Fares , reports as follows :
The purpose of Bill 127 is to establish and fix the bus fares for
the Hele-On bus system. Your Committee finds that the
Administration has recommended that (1 ) the Hele-On base fares be
increased from 50 cents to 75 cents ; ( 2 ) that the present zone fare
structure be maintained; ( 3) that discount fare programs for the
handicapped , elderly , students , and families be eliminated ; and ( 4 )
that the fare prepayment program for monthly passes and bulk tickets
purchases offering discounts of as much as 10 percent be continued .
Your Committee is aware that public informational meetings on these
proposed fare increases have been held and that it is the opinion of
the administration that the consensus of the people is favorable to
increasing the fares to meet the fiscal requirements of the system .
Finally, your Committee understands that the authority to set fares
on the Hele-On system rests with the County Council and that the
proper vehicle is by ordinance .
Your Committee on Public Works finds that Bill 127 was reviewed by
the Joint Committee Meeting of Public Works and Finance on
January 28, 1986 . There , the Joint Committee accepted mixed
testimony on the proposed fare increases to the Hele-On system. The
Joint Committee on Public Works and Finance, while maintaining some
reservations on the discontinuance of discounts for the handicapped ,
did recommend passage of Bill 127 on first reading. On February 5 ,
1986 , Bill 127 was adopted on first reading and was referred back to
the Committee on Public Works .
Your Committee on Public Works has received additional testimony
from the Administration and the Mass Transit Agency. The
Administration, while committed to some type of public
transportation has , since January 28 , 1986 , reevaluated its position
with respect to mass transit and has recommended the following
changes:
1 . That the 10 percent Fares Prepayment Discounts cannot be applied
to Demand Respond Fares and to the Senior Citizen, Handicapped , and
Student Prepayment Discount Fares .
PWC REPORT O . 73
f\DOPTED : FEB 19 1986
PWC Report-73 -2- February 11 , 1986
2. That a 33 1/3 percent Senior Citizen , Handicapped, and Student
Fare Prepayment Discount be authorized . This Fare Prepayment
Discount shall not apply to Demand Response Fares .
3. That Demand Response Fares be reduced from $1 .50 per ride to
$1 .00 per ride .
4 . That the Mass Transit authority to promulgate rules and
regulations be revoked .
Your Committee has been advised that the projected effect of these
amended proposals are a reduction in anticipated revenues of $30 ,000
per year from $400 ,000 to $370 ,000 for the fiscal year 1987 . With
expenditures estimated at 700 ,000 , the Mass Transit Agency expects
to be within the Council 's 50 percent subsidy criteria .
As to the effects of the fare increase proposals on the current
operating budget, your Committee has been advised to expect, at
worst , a possible $60 ,000 shortfall .
Your Committee on Public Works is in support of the amended fare
proposals of the administration and has amended Bill 127 by
(1 ) defining the terms handicapped, senior citizens , and students ;
( 2 ) authorizing a 33-1/3 percent Senior Citizen, Handicapped and
Student Fare Prepayment Discount ; ( 3) reducing Demand Response Fares
to $1 .00 per trip; ( 4 ) prohibiting the application of the 10 percent
Fare Prepayment Discounts to Demand Response Fares and
33-1/3 percent Senior Citizen, Handicapped , and Student Prepayment
Discount Fares ; ( 5) Prohibiting the application of 33-1/3 percent
Senior Citizens, Handicapped and Student Fare Prepayment Discounts
to Demand Response Fares ; and ( 6 ) revoking the authority of the Mass
Transit Agency to promulgate rules and regulations .
In amending Bill 127 , your Committee on Public Works is aware that
the definition used for Handicapped is more liberal than that found
in State and Federal regulations but similar to that used by City
and County of Honolulu 's Bus System .
Your Committee on Public Works has been assured that the
Administration has explored every avenue to improve our Mass Transit
System and that the proposed fare increases are but one aspect of
the overall program. Other efforts to reducing total operating
costs include the possibility of relinquishing certain routes to
HCEOC and by absorbing certain routes of the Elderly Activities
Division .
PWC Report-73 -3- February 11 , 1986
Your Committee on Public Works , having reviewed the Administration 's
amended proposal , has amended Bill 127 and submits Bill 127 ,
Draft 2, to the Council for second and fi.al reading.
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M'RLE K. LAI, RWOMAN
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R .SELL S. KOKUBUN, VICE CHAIRMAN FRANK DE LUZ III, MEMBER
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TAKASHI DOMINGO, M ER ROBERT N. HERKES, MEMBER
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