230 signatures and counting.
That’s how many bus riders are demanding that the City not change the current #14 route.
"A lot of people live on the #14 it’s a lifeline of Kaimuki, they’re going to cut out going to Diamond Head, cut out going to Kahala Avenue they haven’t changed this route in 40 years and all of a sudden making it a shuttle going up and down the hill," says Barbara Armentrout.
She and others rely on this lifeline for shopping, work and school. And it’s the easiest route for Rose Pou who is visually impaired.
"This is the only way I can get to my volunteer job, I volunteer at the zoo and this is a straight shot down to the end of Kapahulu where I get off and walk to the zoo," says Pou.
Under the City’s proposed bus service adjustments route 14 will no longer take riders south of Waialae Avenue. Instead, riders will have to catch a second bus to get from Saint Louis Heights to Waikiki, Kapahulu and Kahala.
"I’m concerned about those who are handicapped, those who cannot get around as well as others the elderly mostly concerned about the elderly, getting off of one bus and going to the next," says City bus driver Russell Duarte.
Over 50 Bus riders came to share these and other concerns at a town meeting Monday night with the City.
"Nothing is a done deal the whole point we’re here to listen and make adjustments if necessary," says Wayne Yoshioka, City Transportation Director.
The City says it proposed the change to route 14 to make the route much more efficient and avoid raising bus rates.
"We have to take a look at making the system more efficient, we’re looking at a projected $-million increase in diesel fuel next year," says Yoshioka.
So, do bus riders think they have a shot at keeping route 14 the same?
"We’re going to try," says Armentrout.
Any changes to bus route 14 will be decided by the City sometime after April and roll out as early as August.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
