FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced yesterday a partnership between the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Oahu Transit Services to provide free newspapers to express-bus riders starting Tuesday. Hannemann congratulated Star-Bulletin Circulation Director Joe Leong, watched by OTS officials T.K. Hannemann, left, and Roger Morton, and the Star-Bulletin's Jeff Finney.
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Measures aim for better bus ride
One program will offer the Star-Bulletin on express routes
Bus riders will soon be able to read the newspaper in a quieter environment. And if there are any problems with the bus service, it will be easier to register a complaint.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann signed a bill into law yesterday that will silence cell phone rings. Starting immediately, they have to be placed on vibrate or turned off.
The measure also requires that riders use earphones when using other electronic devices such as televisions, radios and portable stereos.
City bus drivers asked for the change because loud cell phone rings and walkie-talkie conversations were distracting to drivers and customers.
"Any time that a driver is distracted, it's a bad thing, and this bill goes a long way in helping to keep distractions down for those of us charged with the safety of others," said bus driver David Verret, who lobbied for the bill's passage. "For our customers who are on the bus, they may want to read, they may want to sleep, they may want to talk to their neighbors. ... It goes a long way to addressing courtesy."
Roger Morton, president and Oahu Transit Services, said signs will be posted notifying riders of the new law.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mayor Mufi Hannemann signed a bill into law yesterday restricting use of cell phones and other electronic devices on city buses. Oahu Transit Services President Roger Morton held signage which will notify riders of the new law, effective immediately.
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The mayor also announced a program with the Star-Bulletin to provide free newspapers to passengers on express buses beginning Tuesday.
The one-year contract calls for the Star-Bulletin to install removable distribution racks on all 103 express buses.
Each bus will receive 20 copies of the newspaper daily, and complimentary copies will also be given to city bus drivers as they begin their shifts. The Star-Bulletin will also provide nearly $50,000 in promotional advertising.
"We thought it was a great opportunity for us to present the newspaper, and this is really a perfect fit -- to be riding the express buses and to read the morning copy of the newspaper," said Joe Leong, circulation director for Star-Bulletin and MidWeek publications.
Last year, the city launched a pilot "Read & Ride" project with the Honolulu Advertiser that made copies of its paper available on certain city buses.
City officials said the program was a success and so it solicited bids, and the Star-Bulletin was the only bidder.
The city also wants to hear from bus riders and will be putting up signs asking "How's Your Ride Today?" to provide the bus-riding public with a way to make comments directly to the city by either calling 523-4141 or 523-4381 with suggestions to improve bus service.
"Tell us how we're doing," said city Transportation Services Director Melvin Kaku.