August is time to
beat the school jam
Morning commuters, beware.
Schools are going back into session and by the last week in August the state Department of Transportation predicts there will be more than 200,000 additional vehicles on the roads when all public schools, all University of Hawaii campuses and most private schools will be back in session.
"This is a great time to use transportation alternatives, whether it's commuting by car pool, Vanpool, bus, bike or by walking," said DOT Director Rod Haraga.
More than 43,000 UH, Chaminade University and private school students go back to class Aug. 25 or later that week.
About 70 percent of public elementary schools were back in session as of yesterday, according to Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen. Students at all other public schools will be back by Aug. 25.
City officials are confident that TheBus will continue to offer transportation alternatives, despite a threatened strike by city bus drivers.
Last Tuesday, members of the Teamsters Local 996, which represents bus drivers and other bus employees, authorized a strike. The union did not issue a strike date, but said it would give the city 72 hours notice.
Cheryl Soon, director of the city Department of Transportation Services, said: "Everyone is at the (negotiating) table. No one is interested in the chaos a strike would entail."
For the "Beat the School Jam 2003" campaign, officials recommend that commuters leave home earlier or stay at work later to avoid peak traffic hours.
Along with riding TheBus, groups of four or more can start a Vanpool and share a van starting at $55 per month a person or $75 a month for a sport utility vehicle. To sign up, call 596-VANS.
The Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association also offers to match Leeward and Central Oahu commuters with other residents who share a similar commute.
Mililani and Waipio residents who drive into Downtown Honolulu or Waikiki can reserve a seat on the association's Commuter Express Bus. Call 677-7433.
While state officials acknowledge these are short-term fixes to Oahu's traffic problems, they hope the recently appointed Governor's Task Force on Transportation will "investigate every transportation option," Haraga said.
They are also confident that the contra-flow lane demonstration project on Nimitz highway will help ease morning traffic. The extra Diamond Head-bound lane from the Keehi interchange to Pacific Street will open weekdays from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. for four months, beginning Sept. 25.
