Posted on: Wednesday, March 21, 2001

Bus fare hike to $1.50 likely

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee today approved a modest bus fare increase that appears headed for final passage on April 4.

City bus riders would higher fare beginning July 1. The last time Honolulu bus fares went up was in 1995.

Under the proposal, single-ride cash fares would increase from $1 to $1.50 for adults and 50 cents to 75 cents for students. Monthly passes would rise from $25 to $27 for adults and from $12.50 to $13.50 for students. Senior citizens would pay $20 for a one-year pass and a new annual fares for regular riders would be created: $300 and $150 for students.

City Council Budget Chairman Steve Holmes said today the increases have earned the Council majority's support because they are "reasonable" and won't have a negative long-term impact on the number of people who ride the bus.

"Our bus system continues to have very high ridership, one of the reasons it was recognized as the best transit system in North America," Holmes said.

The increase will help to pay for rising costs of salaries for bus drivers and skyrocketing diesel fuel costs.