Active public school bus routes “on track” to resume this fall

HONOLULU (KHON2) — All public school bus routes that have been operating will continue to run this upcoming school year. The Department of Education made the announcement Tuesday, with less than two weeks before the new school year starts.

For the last three years, the DOE suspended bus routes. But this year, most routes will be running come August 4.

“Right now, I feel like it’s much, much improved than where we were at the same point last year,” said Rep. Trish La Chica, House Education Committee Vice-Chair.

At this time last year, the DOE announced it was suspending 147 routes across Oʻahu, Maui and the Big Island, affecting more than 3,700 students.

“We’re in a much stronger position heading into this school year thanks to early planning, staffing gains and creative support options for families,” said Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi in a statement.

DOE says currently, nine of those routes are still not running. One big issue that’s affecting Hawaiʻi, and the rest of the country, is a lack of bus drivers.

“It’s not easy to recruit and retain drivers,” said La Chica. “And this is happening nationwide, so we really wanted to look at what other options are there.”

State lawmakers say they are trying to give the department some tools to try and solve the problem. For example, they did pass House Bill 862 this past legislative session which extends Governor Green’s emergency proclamation that allows other vehicles, not just yellow buses, to transport students to and from school.

But that’s not possible right now because, according to La Chica, the DOE’s contract with its current bus provider doesn’t allow that. So it would have to be amended.

“I’m here urging the department and asking them to work with us, work with the Governor’s office and just help us be able to realize this law to its fullest extent,” said La Chica.

The DOE is also extending its free express county bus pass to middle school students. Previously, only high school students were eligible. And a carpool pilot program is launching for students in central O’ahu and upcountry Maui this year.

“All we wanna do is to help get our kids to school safely, and from my point of view, I wanna make sure that every single student has that reliable form of transportation,” said La Chica.

In a letter sent home to parents on July 7 from the DOE, parents are urged to apply for bus service as soon as possible, as applications are reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority does go to elementary and special education students.

“Up until we get to that point where every family that needs school bus services will be able to say, I have access to get my kid to school safely, that’s when we’ll feel confident that we were able to address this,” said La Chica.