Lawmakers seek answers on school bus service shortages

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Lawmakers are pressing for explanations on why some public school students are still without bus service this year.

The House Education Committee convened a special hearing Thursday afternoon with leaders from the Department of Education (DOE).

The issue arose after the DOE announced just days before the school year began that it would suspend over 100 bus routes on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island due to a shortage of drivers.

“So this school bus crisis happened last year,” said Rep. Trish La Chica (D) Education Committee Vice Chair. “Happened the year prior to that. So the issue is not new. Yet we are really struggling to understand why it happened yet again this year”

Rep. Justin Woodson (D) Education Committee Chair added, “The committee wants to make sure that the department understands the nuisance of the challenges and we also want them to present some potential solutions so were not here again next year.”

About 3,700 students were initially affected.

Last week the DOE announced a new contract that resumes services for about 1,200 students.

Discussions are taking place to ensure kids and their families can safely get to school amid the shortage.

The Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee met and heard from the Hawaii Public Health Institute.

Kealana Almeida from the Hawaii Public Health Institute noted that other states have developed action plans by surveying stakeholders to identify necessary improvements.

“Looking at how these other states have kinda started compiling their action plans and things like that, started with asking different stakeholders like do surveys and things like that to see what other people in these groups think should be implemented in these areas,” said Almeida.

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Additionally, the Safe Routes to School program, which allocates $10 million in special funds annually, is designed to address such issues.