06-26-2013, 08:51 AM
Bill 86, on its final reading, raises bus fares, beginning July 1.
By bus or by car, your ride is soon going to cost you more.
The Hawaii County Council on Tuesday advanced bills doubling bus fares and car registration and vehicle weight taxes.
The votes came in the face of opposition from about a dozen people, several who said raising money from the poor is especially distasteful at the same meeting where the council was to vote on 4 percent raises for council staff.
“It just doesn’t sit right to think about the hardships some are going through while others are sitting pretty with raises,” said Tina Floyd of Pahoa.
Readers spoke about making the bus system more efficient, and several said if fees are increased to levels similar to Honolulu, then service should be as well, particularly adding Sunday service. Others talked about the effect the increases will have on students and the working poor.
“What are we even doing in this county pretending that we can’t afford to give disabled people a free ride,” Rees said. “To try to tap money out of disabled folks for riding the bus, I find it reprehensible.”
Hikes to bus fares are expected to bring in an additional $617,500 and hikes to vehicle registration and weight fees will raise about $2.8 million annually, according to the county Finance Department.
“To improve the bus service, we need something called money,” said Puna Councilman Greggor Ilagan.
The bill will increase bus fares by $1 per one-way trip, doubling the rate for regular riders to $2 and ending free rides for students, seniors and people with disabilities. It also raises the age for the senior discount from 55 to 60.
Ya know, when I visit Oahu and drop $2.50 for fare, I don't mind? Why? Because it's totally worth it. They have thousands of buses all on time for the most part and if you miss one? Big deal, another one will be by in 5 minutes or so. Miss the Pahoa bus? You could be in for a wait of 2 hours or more! That is if one even shows up at all. And most the time (depending on who is driving) they are early or late. I don't take the bus very often but when I have there have been a few times when the bus breaks down and doesn't even show up. Yeah it happens tho it's kinda ironic I've taken the bus on Oahu MANY MANY times and I can't even remember a time when one broke down.
I wonder how many council members that voted this in have actually ridden the bus? Service is absolutely awful and completely unpredictable. Let's hope things improve with the price hikes but something tells me it won't.
By bus or by car, your ride is soon going to cost you more.
The Hawaii County Council on Tuesday advanced bills doubling bus fares and car registration and vehicle weight taxes.
The votes came in the face of opposition from about a dozen people, several who said raising money from the poor is especially distasteful at the same meeting where the council was to vote on 4 percent raises for council staff.
“It just doesn’t sit right to think about the hardships some are going through while others are sitting pretty with raises,” said Tina Floyd of Pahoa.
Readers spoke about making the bus system more efficient, and several said if fees are increased to levels similar to Honolulu, then service should be as well, particularly adding Sunday service. Others talked about the effect the increases will have on students and the working poor.
“What are we even doing in this county pretending that we can’t afford to give disabled people a free ride,” Rees said. “To try to tap money out of disabled folks for riding the bus, I find it reprehensible.”
Hikes to bus fares are expected to bring in an additional $617,500 and hikes to vehicle registration and weight fees will raise about $2.8 million annually, according to the county Finance Department.
“To improve the bus service, we need something called money,” said Puna Councilman Greggor Ilagan.
The bill will increase bus fares by $1 per one-way trip, doubling the rate for regular riders to $2 and ending free rides for students, seniors and people with disabilities. It also raises the age for the senior discount from 55 to 60.
Ya know, when I visit Oahu and drop $2.50 for fare, I don't mind? Why? Because it's totally worth it. They have thousands of buses all on time for the most part and if you miss one? Big deal, another one will be by in 5 minutes or so. Miss the Pahoa bus? You could be in for a wait of 2 hours or more! That is if one even shows up at all. And most the time (depending on who is driving) they are early or late. I don't take the bus very often but when I have there have been a few times when the bus breaks down and doesn't even show up. Yeah it happens tho it's kinda ironic I've taken the bus on Oahu MANY MANY times and I can't even remember a time when one broke down.
I wonder how many council members that voted this in have actually ridden the bus? Service is absolutely awful and completely unpredictable. Let's hope things improve with the price hikes but something tells me it won't.
