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Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency announced Friday that Hele-On bus service is now fare-free through Dec. 31, 2023.
Free ridership is possible due to the Department receiving $4.5 million in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and $1,879,773 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the Federal Transit Administration through the state Department of Transportation, according to a statement from Mayor Mitch Roth’s office.
The funds are 100% federal with no local match necessary and are provided to help transit systems sustain their operations during the pandemic.
Upon receipt of the American Rescue Plan Act funds, the fare-free initiative should extend another year to December 31, 2024, according to the statement.