O'ahu bus riders speak out against cutbacks
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
City bus riders politely expressed their displeasure last night at proposed cuts in service, but the debate is expected to heat up this morning when the City Council takes up a bill to increase bus fares.
While only a handful of riders testified at last night's public hearing in Makiki, the council's committee room is expected to be packed when the joint Budget and Transportation Committee hears testimony starting at 9 this morning on proposals to raise fares in many categories, even though some fares were raised six weeks ago.
"We'd like to hear from bus riders what they are willing to live with," be it a reduction in bus service, a fare increase or a combination of the two, said Nestor Garcia, chairman of the Transportation Committee.
At last night's public hearing on service reductions, the first of three scheduled for this week, several riders said they were unhappy with city plans to cut up to 100,000 hours of service each year.
"Even before, the quality of service wasn't that good, especially for people living in Leeward areas," Makiki resident Mike Koscelek said. "These new cuts are like adding insult to injury. We need to be increasing service, not cutting it."
The City Council's joint Budget and Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing at 9 a.m. today in Honolulu Hale on a proposal that would raise bus fares for monthly pass holders, senior citizens, express bus riders, youths between 6 and 17, and others. People wishing to testify are asked to register by 9 a.m. Testimony will be limited to one minute. Two public meetings on proposed cutbacks in city bus service will be held this week: Oral testimony will be limited to three minutes, and city officials will not respond to testimony or questions posed at the hearings. Written testimony can also be submitted until 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Department of Transportation Services, 650 S. King St., third floor, Honolulu, HI 96813.
The city is planning to start new cutbacks Aug. 24, reducing service to the levels they were in 2000. The cuts are necessary because of a shortfall in the city budget for 2003, officials said.
Public meetings planned
"No one in public transit business wants to reduce service, but we must play the cards we are dealt with," said Paul Steffens, chief of the city's public transit division. Many transit services across the country are being cut, in part because of the economic fallout from the Sept. 11 attacks, Steffens said.
"That's a real low blow, blaming it on Sept. 11," countered bus rider Jim McBryde. "Maybe something else is going on here, like the bills coming due for the mayor's beautification work in Waikiki."
Several other people declined to testify after they learned city officials at the hearing would not answer any of their questions about the reductions.
The planned cuts call for eliminating 19 daily bus runs and increasing the time between most buses by one to five minutes. In a few cases, the time between buses would increase to 45 minutes.
"I don't think anyone should have to wait that long for a bus," said Alvin Toda, who said he started riding the bus when the fare was still 25 cents. On July 1, the one-way bus fare was raised to $1.75. "I can't see people spending that much money for a bus ride, either, when a car would be much cheaper and faster, too."
Steffens told those at the hearing that the service cuts could be avoided if the City Council agrees to increase fares.
"If the bus fare increase makes more revenue available, we could readjust the service to the extent revenue will allow," he said.
City Council Budget chairwoman Ann Kobayashi yesterday said she plans to question administration officials today about the process that led to the cuts.
"We would like to know why the budgeting process broke down and why the impacts of the reductions in services were not clearly communicated by the administration," she said. "We raised adult bus fares and passes to meet the operating budget presented to us by the administration. If they knew they needed more funds ... they should have communicated more clearly their needs before the budget process closed."
The City Council is considering a bill that would raise fares for monthly pass holders, senior citizens, children between 6 and 17, express riders and those who transfer. Fares for children under 5 and single-fare adult passengers would remain unchanged.
Under the bill, the cost of a monthly bus pass would go to $37, up from $30. Riders on express bus services would pay a 25-cent premium. Transfers, which are now free, would cost 25 cents. Senior citizens who now receive unlimited rides after they pay $25 for a two-year pass, would have to pay 25 cents per ride. One-way fares and monthly passes would also go up for youths between 6 and 17.
Leaders of the Hawai'i Teamsters Union Local 996, which represents city bus drivers and workers, yesterday urged all their members to attend today's hearing. The workers have set an Aug. 26 strike deadline if they don't reach agreement on a new contract.
Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5460.
