HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Education will restore another 14 previously suspended school bus routes on Sept. 23. These bus routes will service nearly 250 student-riders at 10 Central Oahu, East Hawaii Island, and Upcountry Maui schools.

What You Need To Know

  • The resumption will restore transportation service to nearly 250 student bus riders at 10 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 96 previously suspended routes

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 affected 3,720 students enrolled in school transportation. Along with the recent announcement of the 14 restored bus routes, the department has reinstated 96 previously suspended routes.

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. 23:

OAHU

Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area: 6 routes 

  • Mililani Middle - CR06A, CR06B
  • Wheeler Middle - CR16A, CR16B
  • Leilehua High - CR15A, CR15B

HAWAII ISLAND

Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area: 2 routes

  • Waiakeawaena Elementary, Waiakea Intermediate and Waiakea High - TR11A, TR11B

Kau-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area: 5 routes

  • Keonepoko Elementary - SR16A, SR16B
  • Mountain View Elementary - SR35A, SR35B
  • Kau High & Pahala Elementary - SR07A

MAUI

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

  • Kekaulike High and Kalama Intermediate - UR16A

Efforts to restore the remaining 42 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, instead 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. 

Related Stories