Free public transit in Hawaiʻi may be too popular for its own good.
The idea is in vogue, with cities such as Kansas City and Albuquerque diving in and local politicians elsewhere in places including New York City campaigning on it. Maui County provides it to those under the age of 24 and the Big Island extends it to all users.
Supporters of a statewide free transit bill in Hawaiʻi said the change would benefit not just current riders but attract flocks of new riders who might try the system out — and get hooked. In fact Honolulu transportation director Roger Morton estimates it could draw 20 million more riders a year, a 50% increase, bringing the total on par with the roughly 60 million riders who used the system just before the Covid-19 pandemic…