HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-03 Honolulu Donates Buses to Hawaii County Mass Transit -- press release (2)
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
July 3, 2017
NEWS RELEASE
City and County of Honolulu Donates Buses to Hawai'i County Mass Transit
Hawai'i County Mass Transit will soon take delivery of seven buses donated by the City and
County of Honolulu, a much-needed boost to the Big Island’s beleaguered bus fleet.
The seven buses, built in 1997, have been retired from service on O‘ahu, but are still in working
condition. According to a press release from Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s office, similar buses have a
typical lifespan of a million miles, and are still used in TheBus operations.
Honolulu has regularly donated retired buses to Hawai'i, Maui and Kaua‘i Counties. The most
recent donation to the Big Island was five buses in 2014. This year’s entire allotment of seven
buses to the Neighbor Islands went to the Big Island due to its urgent needs.
The donated buses this time are expected to go into service here during the week of July 10.
Mass Transit consultant Curtis Sharp said that the donation was sorely-needed, with many of
the HeleOn fleet sidelined. Five of the seven donated buses will replace five vehicles needing
maintenance; repairs will proceed with an eye to getting a total of 10 buses on the road.
“We’re shooting for the end of July to have 10 buses running effectively,” Sharp said. “The two
remaining donated buses will serve as back-ups.”
O‘ahu Transit Services maintenance personnel have kept thorough maintenance records of
these vehicles and are turning over these records, preventative maintenance schedules, and
service manuals to ensure Hele-On’s maintenance team a successful transition into their fleet.
“We sincerely appreciate the hand that Honolulu has offered us,” Sharp said. He thanked
Young Brothers for waiving shipment charges for the buses.
For further information, contact Curtis Sharp at the Mass Transit Agency at
808-209-4700.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.