State, county might
develop transit plan

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By B.J. Reyes
Associated Press

State and county agencies are being asked to come up with a plan for a fixed-rail transit system on Oahu under a measure being considered by House lawmakers.

The House Transportation Committee passed a bill yesterday that requires the Department of Transportation and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization to develop an action plan for the system.

The bill was amended to include the City and County of Honolulu in the planning process.

"Because of their prior experience in planning for rail systems, the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services can best identify the details for various components of such an action plan," said Gordon G.W. Lum, executive director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Such details include the environmental process, the federal grant process, and technical or financial analyses, Lum said.

Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris has said he plans to move forward with a $14 million Bus Rapid Transit system in the downtown area to bring immediate relief to commuters.

State Director of Transportation Rodney Haraga testified that the Lingle administration takes no position on the bill, adding that the governor plans to meet with interested parties to discuss the issue.

Shortly after her victory in the Nov. 5 election, Gov. Linda Lingle proposed a reversible elevated toll highway between Kapolei and Honolulu for car pools to ease traffic congestion.

After her State of the State speech Jan. 21, Lingle said she planned to hold a transit summit of decision-making bodies to come up with a rail plan that could then be pitched to the public. Lingle said yesterday that the meeting would probably convene in March.

The bill requiring the agencies to come up with an action plan was passed by the House committee 8-0, with one member absent. It now goes to the House Water, Land Use and Hawaiian Affairs Committee.

A similar measure in the Senate is scheduled to be heard Friday by the Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee.