Four bus routes restored to 2 East Hawai‘i schools

Nine previously suspended school bus routes in Central Oʻahu, East Hawaiʻi Island and Upcountry Maui will be reinstated starting Sept. 9, restoring service for nearly 200 student bus riders at seven schools.

According to Hawai‘i Department of Education, two routes on Hawai‘i Island will be restored to the Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area servicing Kalanianaole Elementary, TR15A and TR16A. Two routes were also restored to Pāhoa High School, SR12A and SR12B.

The latest restored routes will be serviced by bus service contractors Ground Transport Inc. and Roberts Hawai‘i. Parents and guardians of student riders will be notified directly of restored routes and any necessary route modifications.

Following the restoration of the nine routes next Monday, a total of 78 routes will have been restored. Efforts to restore the remaining 69 suspended bus routes are ongoing.

Ground Transport is actively recruiting new drivers, leveraging the governor’s emergency proclamation to streamline the hiring process. The proclamation allows drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a “P” endorsement – permitting them to transport passengers – to operate school buses temporarily, in lieu of the “S” endorsement specifically required for school bus drivers.

The company is also exploring partnerships with other tour bus operators to further expand capacity.

More updates will be provided as additional bus routes are restored.