Transit-system choice expected to be made Friday
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
A panel of mass-transit experts is expected to decide Friday which type of technology to use in Honolulu's planned "fixed guideway."
The five members of the group, which held its first meeting yesterday, will individually analyze and recommend whether the $3.7 billion system should use steel wheels on a steel rail, rubber tires on concrete, monorail technology, or magnetic levitation. Their reports are due Wednesday and the panel is scheduled to reconvene Friday morning to hear the results. Honolulu City Council members are expected to eventually hold a hearing to review the panel's selection.
A decision on the type of vehicle must be made before an environmental impact statement for the project can be completed and allow construction to begin. Mayor Mufi Hannemann hopes to break ground on the project in 2009, with the first segment starting service between East Kapolei and Waipahu in 2012.
The initial 20-mile system will have about 19 transit stations between East Kapolei and Ala Moana.
The panel, which is reviewing proposals from 12 vendors, consists of:
Panel members are budgeted to receive up to $20,000 each for their time and expenses.
Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com.
