Handi-Van riders get full service back
| • | Bus talks inch forward |
| • | Drivers say life on picket line not easy |
| • | Getting around without TheBus: Information you can use |
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
When the Handi-Van resumed full service yesterday, the adult day services program at Lanakila Rehabilitation Center had a roomful of students and teachers for the first time since the bus strike started last week.
Marie Hughes, interim director of Lanakila's rehabilitation services, said half of the roughly 70 students were absent last week and most of this week because of the service cutbacks imposed by Handi-Van during the bus strike.
The students rely on the classes for the activities, a chance to get out and see friends and do a variety of work.
O'ahu Transit Services spokeswoman Marilyn Dicus said all customers were notified yesterday that Handi-Van service — which had been cut by about 40 percent since Aug. 28 — would be back to full strength by yesterday. Handi-Van provides an average of 2,500 trips a day for elderly and disabled people.
Although Handi-Van drivers are covered by a separate contract and are not on strike, managers had cut service because of uncertainty over how many drivers might not work if Teamsters picketed Handi-Van's facility in Kalihi.
Last week, union leader Mel Kahele said he decided against the picket line out of compassion for Handi-Vans' customers and drivers. But OTS officials continued to limit services for regularly scheduled appointments because they said they could not get vans to maintenance facilities behind the Teamsters' picket lines.
Dicus said the company restored all service yesterday because OTS has an agreement with the union that managers can drive Handi-Vans through the picket lines to get them serviced.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
