Fixed-rail system advances in House
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
A key House committee is backing a movement to push for a fixed rail transit system on O'ahu.
The House Transportation Committee yesterday voted to advance Bill 1075, which requires the Department of Transportation to work with the O'ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and city officials to "develop an action plan for the implementation of a fixed rail transit system."
On the opening day of the Legislature last month, Senate President Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa) threw his support behind the concept of light rail on O'ahu.
House leaders, however, have differing views on whether pursuing fixed rail will stall the city's Bus Rapid Transit project.
Transportation Vice Chairman Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), said he believes work on a fixed rail project can run simultaneously with the city's $1 billion-plus BRT plan and its in-town portion, being deliberated by the Honolulu City Council.
State Transportation Director Rod Haraga testified yesterday that the Lingle administration had not formed a position on the issue.
But Caldwell said Gov. Linda Lingle's willingness to work with Mayor Jeremy Harris, and vice-versa, is a good sign. "If we have the two fighting against each other, we're not going to get anything," he said.
Caldwell believes a rail system could run to the fringes of the urban center and then meet up with the BRT. To build a rail line through downtown would be difficult logistically anyway, he said.
House Transportation Chairman Joe Souki, D-8th (Wailuku, Waiehu), who has opposed the BRT, said he does not think the two projects are compatible. "I think that you cannot have those two going simultaneously," he said. "I don't think they have enough federal dollars. I would prefer to see a more comprehensive measure. One plan."
Caldwell said the bill he proposed is the same as that introduced by Senate Transportation Chairman Cal Kawamoto, D-18th (Crestview, Waipahu, Pearl City).
The BRT project has a suburban component, already under way, using Express! buses and a hub-and-spoke system. The Express! buses, using high-speed expressways to and from town, are intended to link with the in-town portion, featuring vehicles using an yet-to-be-determined technology through urban Honolulu. The loss of vehicular lanes has been the biggest argument against the BRT.
The city has spent more than $14 million planning the BRT. The federal government has appropriated $11 million for the project, but has not released the money to local officials or approved an environmental impact statement.
Also yesterday, the House Transportation Committee moved a bill that would set the fine of speeding on a street in a residential area at a minimum $150 plus $5 per mile in excess.
Current law sets a fine of $5 for every mile over the speed limit up to $200, according to the prosecutor's office.
Supporting testimony came from the HPD Traffic Division. Capt. Jose Gaytan said speeding in residential is a chronic concern.
In recent years, the Legislature has passed stiffer fines for speeding in school zones and construction areas.
Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
