HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Education will restore another nine previously suspended school bus routes on Sept. 9. These bus routes will service nearly 200 student-riders at seven Central Oahu, East Hawaii Island, and Upcountry Maui schools.

What You Need To Know

  • The resumption will restore transportation service to nearly 200 student bus riders at seven schools
  • Prior to the start of the school year, HIDOE suspended 147 school bus routes in Central Oahu, East Hawaii Island and Central and Upcountry Maui because of an ongoing statewide shortage of school bus drivers and vehicles
  • So far, the department has reinstated 78 previously suspended routes, restoring service to more than 2,000 students

Before the start of the school year, HIDOE suspended 147 school bus routes in Central Oahu, East Hawaii Island and Central and Upcountry Maui because of an ongoing statewide shortage of school bus drivers and vehicles. The service interruption initially impacted 3,720 students enrolled in school transportation. So far, the department has reinstated 78 previously suspended routes, restoring service to more than 2,000 students.

The latest restored routes will be serviced by buses from contractors Ground Transport Inc. and Roberts Hawaii. 

Parents and guardians of student riders will be notified directly of restored routes and any necessary route modifications. The following school bus routes will resume service on Sept. 9:

OAHU

Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area: 2 routes

  • Moanalua Middle - HR22B
  • Moanalua Elementary - HR22A

Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area: 2 routes

  • Wheeler Middle - CR12A, CR12B

HAWAII ISLAND

Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area: 2 routes

  • Kalanianaole Elementary - TR15A, TR16A

Ka‘ū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area: 2 routes

  • Pāhoa High - SR12A, SR12B

MAUI

Baldwin-Kekaulike-Kūlanihākoʻi-Maui Complex Area: 1 route

  • Kekaulike High and Kalama Intermediate - UR02A

Efforts to restore the remaining 69 suspended bus routes are ongoing. 

Ground Transport is actively recruiting new drivers, taking advantage of Gov. Josh Green’s Aug. 2, 2024, Proclamation Relating to School Bus Services, which lifted the restriction that only school vehicles may be used to transport students and included specific provisions within employment-related law to allow for qualified drivers to serve in a student transportation capacity.

The proclamation allows drivers with a commercial driver’s license 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 looking to work with other tour bus operators to further expand capacity. 

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