HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0897.004 2018-2020 PI Caw a
60.604-20
Comm.aqT
Mon 5/4/2020 12:18 PM
Testimony in Support of Reso 604-20
To: Council Testimony
RE: Testimony in Support of Reso 604-20
Aloha Council Chair Chung,Vice Chair Eoff, Finance Committee Chair David and Vice Chair
Richards, and esteemed members of the Finance Committee. Please accept my attached
testimony in Support of Resolution 604-20
Mahalo,
Tina Clothier Ty
Tina Clothier -
Strategic Projects Director =
PATH—Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii a.
808-561-9212 cell
808-326-7284 office
tinaclothier c�r,pathhawaii.arg
www.pathhawaii.oriz
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Ref.To:
Ref. Date MAY --6 2 _
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Peoples Advocacy For Trails Hawai'i
KILI PO Box 62, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745
Connecting People and Places 808 -326-7284 www.pathhawaii.org
I May 1, 2020
Board of Directors
Cindy Armer In Support of.Resolution 604-20
Linda Jane Kelley
Jane Bockus
Derinda Thatcher Good Afternoon Council Chair Chung, Vice Chair Eoff, Finance Committee Chair David
Jeff McDevitt, MD and Vice Chair Richards, and esteemed members of the Finance Committee.
Mike Drutar
Jolene Head My name is Tina Clothier. I am the Strategic Projects Director for PATH—Peoples
Franz Weber Advocacy for Trails Hawaii.
Hannah Ako
Kelly Hudik
I am writing today to ask for your support of Res. 604-20 concerning the award of
$120, 000 to PATH from the Mass Transit budget to help cover the cost of operations
Executive Director and further expansion of the Hawaii Island Bikeshare program for a 12 month period.
Valerie Overlan
Strategic Projects i In 2015, the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development asked
Director PATH to launch and manage a Bikeshare project in the County of Hawaii. We
Tina Clothier established Bikeshare Hawaii Island, a non-profit model project, as a low-cost,
Program Director flexible transportation service that provides on-demand access to a network of
Paul Burke rentable bicycles. With authorization from the Hawaii County Council, the County
funded the Bikeshare Hawaii Island pilot project with $250,000 and launched on
August 29, 2016 with 3 stations and 32 bikes in Kona.The Bikeshare system was
Mission expanded in August 2019 to include 4 stations and 36 bikes in Hilo and 3
To safely connect additional stations and 27 bikes in Kona.The total system now consists of 11
the people and stations and 99 bikes.
places on Hawaii
Island with pathways The Transit Master Plan for Hawaii County calls for support of the Bikeshare system
and bikeways.
to continue the operations, balancing, customer service, publicity, and administration
of the program. The budget for this support is$120,000 in FY 2019/20 and the same
amount in FY 202021 (pending budget approval).The usage fees should be
established to cover up to half the administrative cost with the goal of becoming self-
the Island of Hawaii Serving sustaining. However, with the advent of COVIDI9, and the request to offer free
since 1986 membership to Hawaii Island residents, our usage fees have dropped to less than
$100 per day. However,
we have confidence that our residents will continue to use bikeshare and when our
visitors return, our ridership will grow exponentially.
The Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency has deemed Bikeshare as a viable desirable,
valuable, and feasible addition to the transit system. The long range plan is to have
Bikeshare stations at each of the 5 Transit Hubs planned for the future to fill the gaps
in the regional transit system acting as a "first/last mile" option for transit users.
BSEP;
As the Bikeshare Hawaii Island system reaches its optimal station density, there will also be significant
potential to benefit elderly, disabled, minority, and low-income populations.
Prior to the COVID-19 event, we had submitted a Grant in Aid request to the State Legislature for two more
stations in Hilo (UH Hilo and HCC) and two more in Kona. Sadly, because of budget uncertainties, the
legislature is unable to award GIA grants this year.The funding we are requesting through Res. 604-02
would help us towards the purchase the two Hilo stations and increase the travel options for our students
and faculty. This funding would also allow us to continue our free membership program for our Hawaii
Island residents from July 1, 2020 until the end of the 2020 calendar year.
Thank you so much for your consideration of this request, especially in these challenging times, and for
your support of this alternative transportation for Hawaii Island residents.
Sincerely,
Tina Clothier