Hawaii increases school bus fees to offset budget cuts
The state Board of Education votes unanimously to increase the bus fare for public school students from 50 cents to $1.25 for a one-way ride. The increase is needed to make up for a $9.6 million legislative cut in funding for student transportation.
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Board of Education voted unanimously last week to increase the bus fare for public school students from 50 cents to $1.25 for a one-way ride.
The price of a quarterly pass will increase from $60 to $72, and the price of an annual pass will rise from $225 to $270, the Star Advertiser reports. Unexpired bus passes purchased under the old prices will be honored.
The increased fares, which are effective immediately, will generate an additional $1 million annually. This estimate takes into account a potential 5-percent decrease in ridership due to the higher fees, according to the state Department of Education. The fee increase is needed to make up for a $9.6 million legislative cut in funding for student transportation.
The state Legislature allotted $49.3 million for student transportation this year, down from $58.9 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to the Star Advertiser. The cost of providing student bus transportation is expected to reach $74 million this fiscal year — an increase of $2 million over the previous fiscal year.
Officials are also considering eliminating some routes. The Department of Education will present a report to the Legislature in November outlining other possible solutions for paring student transportation costs.
More Management
13 Industry Leaders Describe School Transportation in One Word
What word best describes the school bus industry today? We posed that question to over a dozen manufacturers, resulting in a revealing mix of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Read More →
Tyler Technologies Adds New AI, Transactions Leadership Roles
Two company executives are promoted to newly created C-suite positions to accelerate the company's long-term growth in both artificial intelligence and payments.
Read More →
Pro-Vision Acquires Convoy Technologies
The deal aims to broaden customer relationships and adds specialized vehicle video capabilities for commercial fleets.
Read More →
Durham School Services Maintenance Teams Earn Missouri Fleet Excellence Awards
Eight of the contractor’s school bus fleets achieved a distinction few maintenance teams earn during the state’s rigorous annual inspection program.
Read More →How Incentives, AI, and Energy Markets Are Reshaping School Transportation
Sit down with Joe Annotti of TRC Companies to talk district grant funding, utility challenges, AI, and why school buses are evolving from transportation assets into energy assets.
Read More →
Inside the Contracting Shift: What School Transportation Operators Are Seeing Now
School transportation contractors weigh in on recent trends, costs, driver shortages, and the rise of multimodal student transportation.
Read More →The No-Idling School Bus AC System
Take a peek at ExoAir Systems’ battery-powered cooling solution designed to run for up to 10 hours without the engine on, reducing fuel use and improving comfort for drivers and students.
Read More →Geotab on Three Major Trends in School Transportation
School bus fleets are becoming more proactive than ever. From AI driver alerts to vehicle-to-grid opportunities, Geotab outlines the biggest technology trends transforming school bus operations.
Read More →
Gatekeeper Lands Major School Bus Deals as Revenue Surges
The video solutions provider announces contracts with Atlanta Public Schools and other fleet operators as it records quarterly revenue growth and expanding subscription business.
Read More →
Building Leaders Who Last: Creating a Successful Mentorship Program in Student Transportation
Discover five strategies for building an effective mentorship program to strengthen leadership development and support staff retention.
Read More →



