The private company that runs the city bus system is warning that the budget for this year is expected to fall about $5.2 million short, which could prompt some cuts in service.
The budget problems have renewed talk of a fare hike.
James Cowen, president and general manager of O‘ahu Transit Services Inc., said he notified city officials of the budget deficit so that plans could be made.
"I certainly wouldn’t classify this as an emergency," Cowen said. He traced the increased costs to: rising diesel fuel prices, $2.5 million; new bus services, $1.5 million; increased cost of bus parts, $970,000.
City Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura said he believes there’s time to tackle the issue without reducing services. "We’re going to deal with it," he said.
Yoshimura said he believes an increase in bus fares is overdue, shifting some of the burden for paying to operate the buses away from taxpayers in general and more toward those who ride the bus.
"Raising bus fares is never a politically popular thing to do, but I think it’s the right thing to do," Yoshimura said. "So, we just have to gather up the courage to do the right thing."
Yoshimura said he believes there is widespread council support for "reasonable and modest increases" for all bus fares. For example, raising the monthly bus pass for adults from $25 to $27, he said.
Mayor Jeremy Harris has continued to oppose an increase. The last fare increase was in July 1995; the adult fare is $1. No one from the Harris administration has commented on the latest budget deficit prediction and how it might affect bus service.
The budget shortfall will leave the city with three choices: submit a supplemental budget request, cut services or postpone some expenses. Cowen said, "I can’t imagine they’d cut back services."
Council Transportation Chairman Duke Bainum said he favors a supplemental budget increase.
"I really think the onus is on the administration to deal with the $5 million," he said.
But Yoshimura believes the supplemental budget request isn’t the answer.
"I think it ignores the basic problem that a reasonable increase in our bus fares is long overdue," he said.
