Drive Time
Mililani trolley rolls out a few changes

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

The Mililani trolley, which has shuttled residents around the community for the past three years, will continue to operate at least through spring of next year.

The service is operated by E Noa Corp. under contract with Castle & Cooke Homes Hawai'i Inc.

The service began in October 1998 after residents lobbied for shuttle service within Mililani. TheBus operates a route through Mililani along Kamehameha Highway, but there was no bus service going through much of the residential area in the community.

Trolley ridership had dropped significantly since November 2000, when the previous operator, Trans- Hawaiian, was sold. When TransHawaiian abruptly stopped operating the trolley shortly before declaring bankruptcy, E Noa took over the operation in June to keep the service running.

Harry Saunders, Castle & Cooke Hawai'i president, said ridership has been on the rise since E Noa took over the contract.

"E Noa has contributed some great ideas for improving the trolley service," Saunders said. "We're pleased with their efforts, so we have decided to extend the Mililani Trolley service until April to allow more time for these changes to bear fruit."

John Coburn of E Noa Corp. said the trolley service has added 12 new stops, including extending service to newer areas of Mililani Mauka.

Coburn said the company will move a stop to coincide with a city bus stop, and eliminate another stop because of lack of use.

Other changes include shortening the hours of shuttle operation from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. because of insufficient ridership, and reinstating the monthly trolley pass system.

The Mililani Trolley will continue to offer free transfers to and from the city bus, which are valid on the date of issue only.

Regular fare for the Mililani Trolley is $1 one way for adults, and 75 cents for students 6 to 18 years old and seniors 65 and older.

Monthly passes cost $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors, and are available for purchase on the trolley and at the Mililani Town Association Recreation Center 3. Payment must be by check, payable to Castle & Cooke Homes Hawai'i Inc.

Reach Scott Ishikawa at 525-8090 or sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com