Council committee passes bill to extend free bus rides through 2028

A Hawaii County Council committee has passed a bill that would extend the suspension of public transit fares through Dec. 31, 2028, making bus rides free for all riders.

The decision to extend the suspension for three more years was due to the county Mass Transit Agency being “undermanned,” said Zac Bergum, the agency’s acting administrator.

The bill, introduced by Councilman James Hustace by request, was passed 8-0 by the Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit on Sept. 2. It will now go to the full County Council for a final vote. The move aims to address ongoing staffing shortages within the Mass Transit Agency and give officials time to implement improvements, including a micro-transit program that will better serve rural residents.

The agency received a $5 million grant in fiscal year 2025 to support micro-transit services.

“We’re very rural, and one of the key elements that we’re missing here is micro-transit,” Bergum said on Sept. 2. “It’s when those folks live off of or outside of the 1-mile fixed route. How do we get those people to the next official bus stop?”

The bill’s passage ensures the continuation of free fares, supported by grants the agency received. These funds are part of a broader strategy to improve transit accessibility, address staffing challenges, and expand service options.

Current ridership for fixed-route and paratransit services in fiscal year 2025 has exceeded 940,000. The agency is focusing on service enhancements, including the purchase of additional electric buses.

The agency currently operates five electric buses in Hilo and is exploring the addition of seven more. In spring 2026, it will receive two dual-port chargers capable of charging up to eight buses at a time. However, the chargers are not solar-powered where the buses will be stored in Hilo.

In addition to the electric buses, the agency has expanded its shared-ride taxi program, which offers free rides for the first four miles. Three local companies — Daniel’s Taxi, Kwiki Taxi, and Marhysa’s Taxi — participate in the program, which is especially beneficial for older residents who may have difficulty reaching bus stops. The agency allocates $1 million annually for the shared-ride program.

As discussions continue over the future of fare-free rides, some council members have raised concerns about safety and sustainability.

Councilwoman Heather Kimball said on Sept. 2 that she believes the system may need to move to a “limited fare model” after reviewing the budget and funding.

Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz echoed concerns about safety, noting that many people do not feel safe on the bus or doubt its reliability. She also questioned whether a small fare could help improve perceptions of safety.

Councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi suggested on Sept. 2 adding a donation box on buses to generate additional income for the agency, though he expressed frustration over the lack of concrete proposals.

“We always hear it’s in the study … this and that,” he said.

The transit agency still has unspent grants from fiscal year 2021. Councilwoman Jennifer Kagiwada asked whether the agency would lose money if the grants were not utilized, and the Mass Transit Agency confirmed they would not lose the funds.

“I think the agency really needs stable leadership if we are going to be tackling these long-standing issues,” Kierkiewicz said on Sept. 2.

She also pointed out that the agency’s budget has grown significantly, from $14 million in 2017 to $59 million today. Ridership, meanwhile, has fluctuated, with 1.2 million riders in 2012 being the highest recorded.

The transit agency also contracts for professional security services. Over the last fiscal year, the agency has paid nearly $600,000 to American Guard Services, more than $360,000 to Aloha Security, and more than $141,000 to Professional Protective Services. These costs do not include other security-related expenses.

The agency’s security budget has also been a topic of discussion, with some members pointing out ongoing issues with behavior on buses. Onishi noted that the security situation could be improved by charging a small fare.

“It’s a certain group that the security needs to be there for, to watch over them,” Onishi said on Sept. 2. “If we could get compensation, like a small fee, I think we could limit that certain group from being active on our buses.”

Bergum explained that security concerns fluctuate from month to month, with students sometimes causing issues or incidents involving intoxicated riders.

“Some of the problems are with the homeless,” Onishi said on Sept. 2. “We talked and we joked that maybe some of the homeless funding should be used to help offset you guys.”

Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas said on Sept. 2, “We have some challenges with some chronically unhoused people consistently causing issues … it’s this dance of you’re providing this opportunity … when people take advantage of a potential sphere of accountability and it does harm to the greater good.”

The decision to extend the fare-free period comes as the agency works to develop new routes and service models to further boost ridership. Future plans include implementing real-time bus tracking via smartphone apps to help riders stay informed about bus locations. The agency is also working on a plan to upgrade bus stop signs and shelters, which multiple council members and members of the public have requested.

While grants from the state and federal government are funding the fare suspension, the agency faces other financial challenges. If the county were to reintroduce fares today, it would cost the agency more than $1 million to install fare boxes across the system, Bergum said.

Beyond the immediate fare suspension, the agency is planning future fleet expansions, using past grants to purchase new vans, hybrid buses, and battery-powered buses.

However, the agency faces looming fiscal uncertainty. The general excise tax that currently funds a portion of the transit budget is set to sunset in 2030, which could affect long-term financial planning for the transit system.

Email Daniel Farr dfarr@hawaiitribune-herald.com