State out to 'Beat School Jam'

Advertiser Staff

With more than 44,000 public school students on the modified year-round calendar set to start classes next week, the state Department of Transportation is launching its annual "Beat the School Jam" campaign to ease traffic congestion.

Another 8,000 public school students on the traditional academic calendar begin classes the week of Aug. 19; the following week more than 48,000 college and private school students return to classes.

This is the 16th year of the annual campaign to remind Honolulu commuters about the increase in traffic associated with the start of a new school year.

"I want to remind everyone that traffic is going to increase and the commuters need to adjust their travel times," said transportation director Brian Minaai.

Drivers are advised to leave earlier or later than usual to avoid peak traffic periods and to make sure their cars are properly maintained to avoid breakdowns and becoming a potential road hazard.

Several organizations offer transportation alternatives on O'ahu. For information on carpools, call the Leeward O'ahu Transportation Management Association at 677-7433 or Rideshare at 587-7433. Call Vanpool Hawai'i at 596-8267 for information on renting a shared commuter vehicle.