ROSEMARIE BERNARDO / RBERNARDO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Bus passengers took Express Route B from the Kalihi Transit Center to the Honolulu Zoo yesterday morning. As the threat of a strike looms, bus riders are weighing their transportation options.
Late
bus routes
canceledAnticipating a strike, Oahu Transit
moves to prevent passengers
from getting stranded
The company that runs the city bus system on Oahu will shut down several routes late tonight, before a strike deadline by bus drivers, to prevent any passengers from getting stranded.
Members of Teamsters Local 996 are scheduled to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow if a settlement is not reached with Oahu Transit Services, the private company contracted to operate TheBus.
Union officials said if no settlement is reached, the 40 or so buses running late-night routes will come to a halt at a minute past midnight wherever they may be on their routes.
"At 12:01 a.m. the strike is on," said T.K. Hannemann, Teamsters Union business representative and political coordinator. The union had plans to send vans to pick up drivers. He said city and OTS officials should have made contingency plans to pick up passengers.
In a news release, OTS said the union's action "could place people in harm's way." Because of that, buses will be directed to return to the bus garage, the release said.
J. Roger Morton, senior vice president and director of operations of OTS, said: "We asked them specifically not to do it. If they did, it would be irresponsible."
OTS is canceling all trips for urban bus routes and suburban circulator bus routes that begin after 11 p.m. tonight. The company is also canceling rural bus routes that begin after 10 p.m.
Negotiators for OTS and the Teamsters return to the bargaining table at 1:30 p.m. today for the first time since Aug. 14 and less than 11 hours before the strike is supposed to start.
At 10 this morning, the City Council will take testimony and discuss proposed bus fare hikes designed to raise revenue for the bus system to prevent service cuts and layoffs. The union is adamantly opposed to any more cuts and any reduction in personnel. Because of a budget shortfall, OTS cut some service last month and was scheduled to implement more cuts yesterday that would have included 40 layoffs. But the city put a 30-day hold on the cuts to allow the Council time to come up with a revenue-generating plan.
Union members scheduled to work after midnight were instructed to report to work unless they receive a call from the union.
If a strike is on, "instead of reporting to work, they'll just pick up a strike sign," Hannemann said.
"Pickets will be up at 12 o'clock midnight" at the Manana (Pearl City) and Middle Street bus facilities, Hannemann said. "The strike line will move straight to City Hall at 6 a.m. Tuesday."
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Arthur and Ed Akana, who are captains for the impending Teamsters Local 996 strike, wrapped up a day of sign making at union headquarters yesterday. Arthur Akana has been working as bus driver for more than 29 years, while brother Ed has been driving for 30.
Some bus drivers said they are not in favor of a strike, but are ready for it.
"We have to stop it right here," said Liem Vo, who has been a bus driver for 10 years. "We don't want any cutbacks.
"The strike is the last solution, but I'm ready."
Another bus driver said he does not agree with the two-year wage freeze management has proposed.
"I want to progress up the ladder," said Rodney Hayes. "I don't see that being fair."
Hayes said his two children are wondering how they are going to get to school because they rely on the transit system.
"I told them, 'I'll be home to take you to school,'" he said.
Hayes, who lives in Ewa Beach, said he is aware of many hotel employees in his community who depend on bus service to get to work in Waikiki.
"I don't see how they are going to make it to work on time," Hayes added.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii Government Employees Association urged its members yesterday not to volunteer to drive city vans during a strike.
"Unions honor another union's legal work stoppage," HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira said. "A bus strike will inconvenience the community, and many of our members will be affected, but this widespread pain is what should compel both sides to come to an agreement."
The city has made contingency plans in anticipation of a strike and is encouraging people to carpool or share rides.
It is against the law to hitchhike in Honolulu, but if people meet and decide to ride-share or form a carpool, that would not be a violation, said city Managing Director Ben Lee.
That is why the city is designating areas where "Ohana Ridesharing" can take place.
The concept, Lee said, is that people needing rides can make signs stating their destination, and drivers who are willing to take them in can also put a sign in their window, and people can meet up and form informal carpools.
The same thing would happen on return trips.
The city is looking to designate Kailua District Park, Kapolei Hale, the Pearl City Youth Center in Manana, Wahiawa Botanical Gardens, City Square in Kalihi, Hawaii Kai Park and Ride, Kaneohe District Park Gym, Mililani Park and Ride, Kunia Park and Ride, Waipahu Gym, Niu Valley Shopping Center, Sinclair Circle (UH-Manoa), Pokai Bay Beach Park and possibly Ulehawa Beach Park as areas where drivers and people needing rides can meet up in the morning.
On the return trip, the ohana ride-sharing locations will be Hotel Street, Sinclair Circle and the Hale Koa Hotel parking lot.
Star-Bulletin reporters Craig Gima and Rosemarie Bernardo and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
TheBus to have early shutdown
Oahu Transit Services, the company that runs TheBus, will shut down several routes late tonight to prevent passengers from being stranded in the event of a strike by bus drivers. Members of Teamsters Local 996 are scheduled to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.
Urban routes canceled for all trips that begin after 11 p.m.
Route 1
Route 2
Route 3
Route 4
Route 6
Route 13
Route 19Rural routes canceled for all trips that begin after 10 p.m.
Route 40
Route 42
Route 52/62
Route 55/65Suburban circulator routes canceled for all trips that begin after 11 p.m.
Route 421
Route 432
Route 433
Route 434
