Drive Time
City's Handi-Van fleet receives upgrade
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
The city is replacing 39 of its Handi-Vans.
"These vehicles go through a lot of wear-and-tear," said Cheryl Soon, city transportation director, about the Handi-Vans used for curb-to-curb service for the disabled.
Soon said 30 of the 39 vehicles have been delivered and 22 of them are in service. Each vehicle cost $71,500.
Soon said a large portion of the Handi-Van fleet of 104 vehicles was purchased in 1994 and needs replacing.
Soon said 30 more vehicles will be purchased in 2002, followed by 12 in 2003. Five smaller vans will also be purchased next year to accommodate passengers living in neighborhoods with narrower streets.
Federal guidelines for Handi-Van vehicles recommend use up to four years or 100,000 miles. The city normally uses the vehicles for five years or 250,000 miles.
Morris Watanabe, chief of the city public transit division's facilities branch, said the new Handi-Vans have the same capacity as the old ones, with 18 seats for passengers, or six spaces for wheelchair users.
The Handi-Van provides curb-to-curb service for eligible riders. Riders must make reservations with the Handi-Van service the day before pick-up.
From July 2000 to June 2001, Hawai'i's Handi-Van service transported 703,000 passengers.
Mark Kaneshiro, a Public Transit Division official, said eligible Handi-Van riders must meet one of the following criteria:
• Be unable to independently board, ride and/or get off a lift- or ramp-equipped bus
• Live in an area where a ramp-equipped city bus does not run along the respective route.
• Be unable to travel to or from a bus stop because of a disability.
Handi-Van riders are charged $2 per one-way ride. A rider's personal care attendant — someone who may assist with the rider's personal care or daily life activities — can ride free.
If a Handi-Van is not available to pick up a scheduled rider, the city will provide taxi service via city contract. The taxi service picked up 28,000 riders last year.
Handi-Van riders can ride TheBus free when they show their Handi-Van card to the bus driver.
For details on program eligibility and registration, call 523-4083.
Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
