The Honolulu Rate Commission once again invites public comments and testimony on proposed fare changes for public transportation at its monthly meeting on Feb. 11.

What You Need To Know

  • Operating and maintenance costs are rising, say officials, and the proposed fare changes are to ensure Skyline, TheBus and TheHandi-Van remain reliable, sustainable and able to meet the changing needs of Oahu’s transit riders

  • The rate commission’s meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 in the Manoa Falls Conference Room located at 711 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1600

  • Community meetings will also be held on Feb. 10 in Kapolei, Feb. 11 in Honolulu and Feb. 13 in Kaneohe

 

A first meeting to receive public comments was in held in November 2024 followed by a second meeting in December.

Operating and maintenance costs are rising, say officials, and the proposed fare changes are to ensure Skyline, TheBus and TheHandi-Van remain reliable, sustainable and able to meet the changing needs of Oahu’s transit riders.

The rate commission’s meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 in the Manoa Falls Conference Room located at 711 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1600. The public can attend either in-person or via a Zoom link.

The meeting agenda is available on the Rate Commission website.

In-person testimony will also be accepted at the following community meetings:

  • Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. - Kapolei Hale, 100 Uluohia St., Conference Rooms A & B
  • Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. - Kapalama Hale, 925 Dillingham Blvd., Room 277
  • Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. - Kaneohe District Park, 45-660 Keaahala Rd., Meeting Room 2

The proposed fare changes include:

  • Increasing adult monthly cap/pass from $80 to $90
  • Increasing youth monthly cap/pass from $40 to $45
  • Increasing reduced fare for single-ride from $1.25 to $1.50
  • Increasing reduced fare day cap from $3 to $3.75
  • Increasing reduced fare annual pass from $45 to $50
  • Implementing a $0.25 incentive to use HOLO card (TheBus only)
  • Increasing TheHandi-Van fare from $2.25 to $2.50
  • Increasing 7-day pass cost from $35 to $40
  • Authorizing the Department of Transportation Services Director to set a special event fare
  • Eliminating the $1.5 million budget cap for the low-income fare program

The public can also provide written testimony:

  • Email: ratecomm@honolulu.gov
  • Fax: 808-768-4730
  • Hard copy mailed to: Attn: Rate Commission, 711 Kapiolani Blvd., 16th floor, Honolulu, HI 96813

Written testimony, including the person’s address, email and phone number, will be publicly available on the Rate Commission website.

Anyone in need of an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability or in need of an interpreter for a language other than English is asked to call the Department of Transportation Service office at 808-768-8329 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or email hchee@honolulu.gov as soon as possible.