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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Bus Route 55 created after complaints
Question: I don't understand why the Circle Island routes of 52 and 55 aren't consolidated into just one route. I was told by a staffer at the city Department of Transportation Services that it was split into 52 and 55 to limit confusion. But to the contrary, it causes more confusion -- I've seen people, especially tourists, catch the wrong buses. They should run Route 52 from Ala Moana, all the way through Turtle Bay and back. What happens is that, at Turtle Bay, the 52 buses change to 55 and the 55 buses change to 52. Also, the mathematical fact is that a full circle is 360 degrees; if you just go halfway, it is 180 degrees and not a circle.
Answer: Until 20 years ago, there was only one Circle Island route -- Route 52 -- in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.
The only difference was the addition of "Kaneohe" or "Wahiawa" to the "Circle Island" destination sign, explained Michelle Kennedy, spokeswoman for Oahu Transit Services, which operates TheBus system.
But TheBus officials say that caused a lot of confusion.
Many riders did not notice the difference in the destination signs and would board the wrong bus, which resulted in an extra hour or two before they reached their destination, Kennedy said.
Because of so many complaints from bus riders, Route 55 was introduced 20 years ago.
The Turtle Bay location was established as the defining point between Route 52, which services Wahiawa, Haleiwa and Waimea in both directions, and Route 55, which services Kaneohe, Kaaawa and Hauula in both directions.
Kennedy said people going to the Haleiwa area know now they have to board a Route 52 bus, instead of a 55.
"It's much easier to tell a person going to the Polynesian Cultural Center to board a Route 55 from Ala Moana Center, rather than tell them to board a route 52 that says 'Kaneohe Circle Island,'" she said.
At this point, it's unlikely that the route numbers will change.
Kennedy said since the change 20 years ago, OTS has had few, "if any, complaints."
Q: Is there a shuttle service to and from Honolulu Airport servicing local residents? Where do we get this information? I have visitors coming and can't pick them up.
A: You can find the names of ground transportation companies -- including city buses, shuttles, taxicabs and limousines -- servicing Honolulu Airport on the state Department of Transportation's Airports Web site at www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/hnl/hnl_ ground_trans.htm.
We saw listings for at least three shuttle services for local residents as well as visitors: Airport Island Shuttles, call 521-2121; Oahu Airport Shuttle, 681-8181; and Reliable Shuttle, 924-9292.
The Web site also lists information for contacting the companies via fax and e-mail and making online reservations.
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.
See also: Useful phone numbers