The Hawaii Department of Education will restore another three previously suspended school bus routes on Nov. 4. These bus routes will service nearly 50 student-riders at two East Hawaii Island schools.

What You Need To Know

  • The resumption will restore transportation service to nearly 50 student bus riders at two 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 112 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 three restored bus routes, the department has reinstated 112 previously suspended routes.

The latest restored buses will service routes from contractors Ground Transport Inc.

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 Nov. 4:

HAWAII ISLAND

Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area: 1 route

  • Waiākea Intermediate - TR10A

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

  • Keonepoko Elementary - SR17A, SR17B

Efforts to restore the remaining 26 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 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. 

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