HONOLULU (KHON2) — It’s been more than three years since Oahu bus riders have seen a fare hike. But now, the city is looking at raising the cost of the bus.
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And while officials say it’s necessary to keep the system running, the concern is how to keep transit affordable for those who rely on it the most.
About 120,000 people ride the bus on a daily basis. That’s a slight increase compared to a year ago, but down from pre-COVID highs. It’s one of the most heavily used transit systems per capita in the nation, and bus officials say operating costs, from fuel to maintenance to driver wages, are climbing fast.
Currently, bus fares make up about 14% of the entire bus budget, or about $42 million a year, while expenses are close to $290 million a year. Federal subsidies cover about $21 million…