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Recently, Maui County obtained six new hybrid electric buses.
This is a tremendous addition to the fleet of The Maui Bus. It reduces noise, carbon emissions and reduces energy consumption.
These energy-efficient vehicles are low-floor ADA compliant, another beneficial step for our physically challenged residents. These hybrid buses include a diesel engine along with a generator and electric motor, plus have rooftop batteries for storing energy.
A crucial characteristic of a successful public servant is one who sees items, services or programs that either need to be implemented or improvements made.
Many years ago, at a forum in Kihei in the days when the Maui County Council races were still partisan, my two opponents were both adamant that Maui did not need a public transportation or bus system.
They both claimed that residents would not abandon their cars and use a bus. I disagreed and passionately proposed that Maui needed to begin a bus system for numerous reasons.
Some residents could not afford the cost of keeping a car, seniors and young people may not be able to drive and numerous other reasons it would be a program long overdue.
A few years later, The Maui Bus started and a couple of years ago, prior to the pandemic, there were over 2.5 million individual riders.
The Maui Bus still needs lots of expansion of routes, hours and making it much more convenient to more residents and visitors.
Nick Nikhilananda
Huelo