Wheels on buses should be going round and round on more routes to start new school year

Hawai‘i Department of Education is on track to resume all school bus routes in service at the end of the 2024-25 academic year when students return to class Aug. 4.

Nine routes remain temporarily suspended as of this week — about 6% of the 138 routes impacted at the peak of last school year’s disruptions.

Four of those still-suspended routes are in the Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex Area of East Hawai‘i on the Big Island. The state reports bus contractor Ground Transportation Inc. is training new drivers now while prioritizing coverage of all other committed routes.

Hawai‘i education officials continue to work closely with bus contractors to monitor staffing levels and support new driver recruitment and training.

“We’re in a much stronger position heading into this school year thanks to early planning, staffing gains and creative support options for families,” said State Superintendent of Schools Keith Hayashi in a release about the situation. “We appreciate the continued patience of our school communities as we push toward full service.”

Ground Transportation Inc. will join the state Department of Education on July 30 during Hawai‘i Career Expo at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in support of bus driver recruitment efforts.

Families are encouraged to check with their schools for route details and explore alternative transportation options where needed.