Bus program to
bring enhancements
The international Bus Rapid
By Harold Morse
Transit program aims
to streamline service
Star-BulletinHonolulu is one of 10 U.S. cities chosen by the Federal Transit Administration for a Bus Rapid Transit program for streamlined service -- and a joint meeting on the topic takes place next month at Hilton Hawaiian Village.
"We have a small grant, a $50,000 grant, that allows us to travel to the other nine cities and participate in ... meetings," said Cheryl Soon, city transportation services director. "There have been two so far: one in Washington, D.C., and one in Orlando, Fla. The next meeting will be in Honolulu, Feb. 8 and 9 at Hilton Hawaiian Village." People from all 10 BRT cities will be here, as well as invited representatives from Sydney, Australia, and Nagoya, Japan, Soon said. "Those are both cities that have already implemented bus rapid transit."
BRT applies techniques of light rail systems to buses, such as giving designated special buses "gangway," or priority, enhancing bus stop amenities and using new technology to provide the latest schedule and route data. One talked-about innovation might allow riders to enter buses through several doors.
Some BRT aspects are already in effect here.
"We've implemented City Express, which is a limited-stop frequent service. The next steps we will be taking include traffic signal prioritization, as well as traveler information at the bus stops that will tell you when the next bus is coming," she said. "We've already awarded the contract for both of those two, and it will start showing up at the bus stops in the next couple months."
These ideas were put in the budget by Mayor Jeremy Harris about two years ago, Soon said. "Then they were approved by the City Council, and we were able to start service in March," she said. "What we're now doing, we're incrementally adding the features."
The city made the federal application about a year ago, Soon said. "You had to describe the program that you would be undertaking and the time frame," Soon said. "The Federal Transit Administration selected those that appeared the most promising."
It ties in very closely with the mayor's proposed transit plan, she said. A major portion of the BRT alignment is the same as that proposed for the in-town trolley system, Soon said.
BRT systems now operate in Curitiba, Brazil; Ottawa, Canada; Nagoya, Japan; Pittsburgh; and Orlando, Fla. Other cities committed to the concept include Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Boston; Santa Clara, Calif.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Miami; Cleveland; Eugene, Ore.; Auckland, New Zealand; and Vancouver, Canada.
Roadwork planned this week throughout Oahu: Streetwise
LEEWARD OAHU
Waianae
Hakalina Road from Pahihi to Puhawai roads.
CENTRAL OAHU
Kunia
Vicinity of Kunia Interchange from Kupuna Loop to Farrington Highway; Kunia and Fort Weaver roads; H-1 Freeway Ramps 5 and 5B and all other ramps in Kunia Interchange; and H-1 Freeway in the vicinity of Kunia Interchange.
Wahiawa
Kilani Avenue from Holoku Place to Ilima Street; and Mala and Ilima streets.
Mililani
Lanikuhana Avenue.
Waipahu
Waipahu Street from Amokii Street to Waikele Road.
Aiea
Moanalua Road from Punanani Channel to Pali Momi Street; Kaonohi Street between Alania and Kahapili streets; Kahapili Street between Kaonohi and Kaonohi streets; Maohu and Heleconia places; and Akaaka, Ilee, Kulawai and Kaamilo streets.
Pearl City
Komo Mai Drive from Waimano Home Road to Hookupa Street.
HONOLULU
Foster Village
Halupa Street from Haloa Drive to Punihi Street.
Salt Lake
Ala Ilima and Likini streets.
Kalihi
Makuahine and Kalihi streets; Dillingham Boulevard between Waiakamilo Road and North King Street; Kamanaiki Street from Violet to Laulani streets; and Kapalama, School, Moani, Laulani, Puolani, Noe, North School and Pahulu streets.
Liliha
Huli Street.
Nuuanu
Kimo Drive Bridge; Kaohinani Drive from Kimo to Pelekane drives; Kahawalu Drive between Kaohinani and Niolopua drives; Kahawalu Drive; Ragsdale and Homelani places; and Old Pali Road.
Chinatown
King, River and Bethel streets.
Kakaako
Kapiolani Boulevard; Keawe Street on Ala Moana, South and Queen streets, and Nimitz Highway and River Street to end at Hotel Street; and Coral Street from Ala Moana to Auahi Street.
Makiki
Keeaumoku and Heulu streets; and Piikoi at Lewalani drives.
Moiliili
Kahoaloha Lane from Kuilei Lane to South King Street; and Kuulei Street from Kahoaloha Lane to University Avenue.
Punahou
Spreckels Street.
Waialae
Aha Nui Place; Ainakoa Avenue; and Malia and Makaikoa streets.
Waikiki
Ala Wai Boulevard between Ala Moana and Kalakaua Avenue; McCully Street between Ala Wai and Kapiolani boulevards; and Ala Wai Promenade.
Wihelmina Rise
Maunahilu, Pakolu and Pili places; and Paula Drive between Maunahilu Place and Iwi Way.
WINDWARD OAHU
Kaaawa
Kamehameha Highway from Mahe Point to Lau Place.
Kahaluu
Ahuimanu Road; and Kialua, Hoopai and Poomau streets.
Hauula
Keala, Kawaipapa and Puuowaa roads; Waikulama Street; and Kamehameha Highway from Pipilani to Kaupau places.
Kailua
Ililani Street from Mokapu Boulevard to Iliwahi Loop; Iliwahi Loop from Ilimano to Ilimano streets; Iliaina Street from Ililani Street to Iliwahi Loop and from Ilihau Street to end; Kailua Road from Kalanianaole Highway to Kawainui Bridge; Alahaki and Akupa streets; and Ilikaa, Akupa and Nanaloko places.
Waimanalo
Ahiki Street; Kaaiai Street from Huli to Nakini streets; and Kumuhau Street from Waikupanaha to Mahailua streets; Ahiki Street; Mokulama Street; Poalima Place.
Kaneohe
Keaahala Road from Anoi Road to Keaahala Place.
EAST OAHU
Kalani Valley
Kalaniiki Street and Kalanikai Place.
Hawaii Kai
Kalanianaole Highway from Nawiliwili Street to Sandy Beach Park Entrance; and from Hanauma Bay to Sandy Beach.
