HONOLULU — Transit service around Honolulu will be increased to assist students affected by the state's school bus cuts.

The City Department of Transportation Services (DTS) announced on Monday that increased city bus service will begin on July 30 on four routes.

“By utilizing projected fuel cost savings, we are proactively working to ensure that students along with our regular riders won’t be stranded when school starts later this month,” DTS Director Wayne Yoshioka said. “Hopefully, this will bridge the gap until the DOE [Hawaii State Department of Education] can formulate a more permanent solution to their school bus problem.”

The DOE initially said that 103 school bus routes would be eliminated, affecting 2,380 students across the state. Soon after, some school bus routes were restored, saving service for about 300 students.

DTS officials noted that while federal rules prohibit the city from providing bus service exclusively for schools, the agency "may increase bus service in areas where students will most likely ride city buses. DTS is targeting areas where ridership is expected to increase due to the DOE’s termination of certain school bus services."