Hawaii Department of Education
08/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/22/2024 20:01
HIDOE to restore nine additional school bus routes in East Hawaiʻi, Upcountry Maui, starting Monday, Aug. 26
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HONOLULU - The Hawai'i State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced today that nine previously suspended school bus routes in East Hawaiʻi Island and Upcountry Maui will be reinstated starting Monday, Aug. 26, restoring service for nearly 200 student bus riders at nine schools.
Continuing efforts to restore suspended routes, bus service contractor Ground Transport Inc. (GTI) has secured additional drivers and buses by subcontracting with Polynesian Adventure Tours. The latest restored routes will be serviced by buses from GTI, Roberts Hawaii and Polynesian Adventure. Parents and guardians of student riders will be notified directly of restored routes and any necessary route modifications.
The following school bus routes in East Hawaiʻi and Upcountry Maui will resume service, effective Monday, Aug. 26.
HAWAI'I ISLAND
Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area: 4 routes
- deSilva Elementary - TR04B
- Hilo High - TR04A
- Hilo Intermediate - TR01A
- Kalaniana'ole Elementary and Intermediate - TR01B
Ka'ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area: 4 routes
- Ka'ū High and Pāhala Elementary - SR06A
- Keaʻau Middle - SR22A
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Keaʻau High - SR32A, SR32B
Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui Complex Area: 1 route
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Kekaulike High and Kalama Intermediate - UR18A
The nine routes above will add to 34 routes previously restored on Aug. 12 and 20 more that will be restored in Central Oʻahu next Monday. Efforts to restore the remaining 84 suspended bus routes are ongoing. Superintendent Hayashi has formally requested assistance from the Hawaiʻi National Guard to support student transportation needs. Additionally, HIDOE has been collaborating with the mayors of Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Honolulu counties to increase capacity on public transportation routes that students can use to get to and from school.
Ground Transport is actively recruiting new drivers, leveraging the governor's emergency proclamation to streamline the hiring process. The proclamation allows drivers with a commercial driver's license (CDL) and a "P" endorsement - permitting them to transport passengers - to operate school buses temporarily, in lieu of the "S" endorsement specifically required for school bus drivers. The company is also exploring partnerships with other tour bus operators to further expand capacity.
More updates will be provided as additional bus routes are restored.