The Honolulu Rate Commission is proposing another Bus Fare Rate Increase. For the last many years, bus riders have been bearing the cost of public transportation disproportionately. A 2022 bus fare increase brought the price of a single ride up to $3 and a day pass to $7 with the Monthly pass at $80. This is already high compared to other metropolitan cities and further increases to the fare will only further burden low-income commuters. While the latest proposed increase will not affect single rider fare (except for a 0.25 increase to medicare card holders and senior riders), the Rate Commission is asking for a $10 dollar increase to the monthly bus pass and a $110 dollar increase to the annual bus pass bring the total to $90/month and $990/yr respectively. 

The City and County of Honolulu has goals of increasing public transportation ridership to help reduce emissions and address concerns with global climate change. The best way to do this is by supporting the people who already use public transportation. Prices should be going down, not up. There are plenty of billionaires and visitors coming to Hawaii, why should the cost of public transportation not be on them? Instead DTS and the Rate Commission keep putting the bill on the people who already choose to ride the bus and especially on those who have no other choice!

Public transportation should be a right! Not something average people are struggling to afford. Say No to the Bus Fare Increase.