Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Can something be done about two school buses that drive recklessly Ewa-bound on Moanalua Road during the weekday mornings at about 6:15 to 6:20 a.m.? The name on the buses is Ground Transportation Inc. The buses pick up students at Pearl Ridge Elementary School, proceed on Moanalua Road in the left lane, turning right on Aiea Access Road and forcing their way into the right lane by deliberately slowing to a stop to get onto the Honolulu onramp to the H-1 freeway. For several mornings, March 6, 7 and 15, we have seen these same two buses speeding down on Moanalua Road and repeating these reckless driving maneuvers while transporting students. Bus drivers for Pearl Ridge
have to drive in a tight spotAnswer: We first called the state Department of Transportation Student Transportation Services Division and were told that, at that time of day, the buses are servicing a private school.
The buses actually come out of Pearl Ridge Community Park, according to Louis Gomes, president and chief executive officer of Ground Transportation, who said he met with the drivers of the two buses whose license numbers you provided.
With respect to driving recklessly or speeding, "We did talk about that, and they said they were not aware of that," he said. A supervisor was sent one morning to monitor the site, without the drivers' knowledge, "and he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary."
However, Gomes said he takes complaints like yours seriously, and "we welcome (feedback) because that's the only way we're going to know if our drivers are doing something." If you would like to further discuss the situation, call 833-4222 and ask to speak to Anthony, operations supervisor for the bus division.
In the situation you describe, when the buses come out of Pearl Ridge Community Park, "the drivers indicated they try to get over to the far right because when they're coming out of the park, they are in the far left lane, and they have to cross over two lanes. They try to get over, but the traffic is too heavy in the morning."
Gomes explained that "it may look like they're trying to ride that left lane, riding it all the way up and then trying to cut right over. But technically, they should be in that left lane on Moanalua Road when they come up by the traffic light by St. Elizabeth School," he said.
At that point there are two lanes there that turn right.
"If you are in the far right lane, that takes you right onto the freeway. But apparently (the buses) are in the left lane (turning right) trying to get into the right lane so they can go onto the freeway," and that's where they should be for safety reasons, Gomes said.
"Whether they're making a left turn or a right turn, a (large) commercial vehicle should always be in the outside lane (when there are two lanes). They should not be in the inside lane," he said. That's because the vehicle's "back end swings out," which could end up striking an adjacent vehicle, while the front end would probably end up hitting the curb, he said.
Because of your complaint, he said the drivers were asked to look at an alternative route, perhaps taking Kamehameha Highway, but doesn't know if that would be feasible because of the timing.
Mahalo
To a nice lady who found an envelope containing my gas bill and check that I dropped somewhere at Manoa Marketplace recently. I thought I had mailed it. She sent me a note saying she had mailed it for me, but didn't give her name or address. I am so thankful. -- H.B.O.
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com