HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services announced in a news release the ridership numbers for the five fare-free days celebrating the opening of Honolulu's highly anticipated Skyline metro rail system. Since its public debut on Friday, June 30 at 2 p.m., Skyline has attracted almost 72,000 riders. The fare-free period, which allowed residents and visitors to experience the new transit option at no cost, concluded on July 4.

The breakdown of ridership during the fare-free period is as follows:

  • Friday, June 30 (4 hours): 8,942 riders
  • Saturday, July 1: 14,216 riders
  • Sunday, July 2: 17,510 riders
  • Monday, July 3: 12,946 riders
  • Tuesday, July 4: 18,108 riders
  • Total: 71,722 riders

As riders flocked to the new Skyline, the Department of Transportation Services received feedback, which will play a role in improving service and communications.

"DTS is proud to welcome all riders onto Skyline to experience the quick, efficient, and sustainable reliability of our newest transportation option when combined with our high-quality TheBus and Handi-Van services," said Jon Nouchi, Deputy Director of DTS, in the news release. "The strong demand witnessed throughout the fare-free period clearly demonstrates the interest of residents and visitors in learning about this long-awaited high-capacity transportation option. A project 55 years in the making, from its initial plans to last week's grand opening, we are honored to debut this service for the benefit of everyone, both now and in the future."

Looking ahead, DTS anticipates that Skyline's average weekday ridership will range between 8,000 and 10,000 passengers per day after a full year of service. 

Segment 2 of Skyline, which will expand the rail system to Kahauiki Middle Street Station, including Makalapa Pearl Harbor, Lelepaua Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and Āhua Lagoon Drive Stations, is projected to open by mid-2025.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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