Posted on: Sunday, July 22, 2001

Back to school 'pre-jam' begins

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

It's not the official start of the "back to school jam," but commuters may want to take note that 48 public schools begin classes tomorrow.

The public schools opening this week are on a modified year-round schedule.

The state Department of Transportation will have a news conference tomorrow morning promoting its "Beat The School Jam" campaign to remind drivers to leave earlier on their morning commutes.

More than 270,000 students attending O'ahu's public and private schools, as well as the University of Hawai'i and its community college system, are expected to return to classes over the next month and a half.

State officials also want to encourage transportation alternatives to work or school, such as riding the bus, carpooling and vanpooling.

An estimated 100,000 additional cars would be on the road each day if there were no transportation alternatives, said Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali.