Bus passes valid until Nov. 1 for seniors, disabled riders
| • | Ridership down 25 percent on first day |
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Senior citizens and disabled riders can use their current bus passes until Nov. 1, the city announced yesterday.
After that, seniors will have to buy a new, more costly pass or obtain an identification card that allows them to pay a reduced rate of $1 per ride.
Rebates will be offered for unused time on existing passes that extend beyond Nov. 1.
For the first time, new passes and identification cards for seniors and disabled riders will contain a photo of the purchaser, said Cheryl Soon, director of the city Department of Transportation Services.
The city plans to set up processing centers around the island where senior and disabled riders can obtain the new passes, Soon said. The first center will open Monday at Neal Blaisdell Center.
"The most important message is they have until Nov. 1 to use the old passes," Soon said. "After that, they'll have to decide which of the new methods work best for them."
Under fare increases approved by the City Council last week, senior citizens (65 and older) will have the option of paying $1 per ride, buying monthly passes for $5, or obtaining an annual pass for $30. Previously, seniors paid $25 for a two-year pass that offered unlimited rides on all city buses.
Those wanting to pay per ride or buy the monthly passes will have to obtain a new photo identification card, which will cost $10, Soon said.
"I think it all sounds fair," said Kazu Inouye of Kapahulu, who just got his two-year senior pass renewed in July. He said he'd apply for a rebate and think about what type of pass he'll get in the future.
Soon said hundreds of people have called the city in recent days to see how the new passes will be issued and how people will be compensated for the lost use of their old passes.
The first processing center will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 to 10 in the Hawai'i Suite at Neal Blaisdell Center. Afterward, other centers will open islandwide, Soon said.
"For me, the $30 isn't a problem, but for others I know it will be a hardship," said McCully senior Mary Aoki. "I just hope they'll make it convenient to get the passes. I don't want to go down to the Blaisdell Center and stand around all day."
Mayor Jeremy Harris said yesterday that the new photo system will help cut down on bus pass fraud, including those that have been passed from one family member to another.
Harris said the city also is looking at a number of reforms to cut down on abuse of transfers, which will be limited to one extra ride when the new fare schedule takes effect Saturday.
The city has also decided:
- Senior biannual passes that expire in September will be honored until Nov. 1.
- Disabled passengers with valid passes do not have to resubmit medical verification of their disability.
- Biannual passes will be refunded on a pro rata basis (3 cents per day) based on the value of the time remaining.
Refund applications are available at all satellite city halls or at the processing centers.
The application forms should be mailed to the Department of Transportation Services, 650 S. King St., Third floor, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.
