O'ahu alternatives to the usual drive

Advertiser Staff

TheBus

• Fare: $1.50 for adults; 75 cents for students; children under 6 ride for free.

• Bus pass: $27 a month for adults; $13.50 for students. Available at satellite city halls, Foodland and Star Market.

• Transfers: free; good for two hours. If your total roundtrip is less than two hours, the transfer can be used for the return trip.

• Schedules: Available at satellite city halls, TheBus' main office (811 Middle St.) or at www.thebus.org. For specific routing information, call 848-5555.

CountryExpress Bus: Makaha and downtown.

CityExpress Bus: Operates between Waipahu and the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, and between Kalihi and Waikiki.

• Bus kudos and peeves: What works and what doesn't in getting around by bus. E-mail us at hawaii@honoluluadvertiser.com or write: Getting Around O'ahu, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.

Vanpool Hawai'i

Operated by VPSI under contract with the state. Drivers and seven to 15 passengers pay $50 a month each to join and split the cost of gasoline and parking. The driver helps organize pickups, deliveries and payments; van drivers use the van for personal use on evenings and weekends. Vanpool pays all maintenance, registration, safety inspections and insurance.

• To sign up: 596-8267.

SchoolPool

SchoolPool is a free service available to public and private elementary, middle and high schools in the Honolulu area. Part of the state Department of Transportation's Rideshare Office, the program matches students and their families who want to form carpools to and from school.

• For details: 587-7433

Trafficam

Check out traffic conditions at more than 20 major intersections around Honolulu at www.eng.hawaii.edu/Trafficam

Bad spots

What are the areas where traffic backs up consistently because of problems or construction? What are the routes to avoid? E-mail us at hawaii@honoluluadvertiser.com or write: Getting Around O'ahu, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.