Posted on: Monday, February 17, 2003

City targets bus-pass scofflaws

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Concern that some riders are abusing a low-cost city bus pass program for disabled people has prompted officials to tighten the system for issuing passes.

City transportation director Cheryl Soon said she did not believe fraud to be widespread, but officials plan to act immediately on an alert.

"To say the least, we are disappointed that even one person would try to take advantage of a program that is designed to help our community's most needy," Soon said.

A full-price pass costs $27 per month; passes for certain disabled people cost $25 for two years.

In a letter sent to City Council members last month, a Honolulu psychologist said clients who do not qualify for passes often have requested that he sign forms vouching for a disability.

City rules require forms be signed by medical doctors or government agencies. But the psychologist said many clients had told him that psychologists and drug-abuse counselors often help clients get passes.

Soon said officials occasionally have heard of such problems and have questioned applications, but they are taking the latest allegation more seriously because the source is credible.

City workers who review applications for passes and find questionable information are supposed to call the doctor who vouches for a physical or mental disability. Almost 7,500 discount passes have been issued in the past two years, Soon said.

The applications will be redesigned to require that doctors list their physician license numbers so their status can be verified more easily, she said.

The city also will begin confiscating undated bus passes and will propose an ordinance with penalties for fraud and abuse. Also, medical associations will be reminded of the qualifications for obtaining passes.