The Department of Transportation Services on Sept. 24 briefed the City Council Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology on bus route changes timed to the opening of Skyline Segment 2, and unveiled three new “rapid” lines — the A, U and W — designed to create fast, high‑frequency connections to Skyline stations.

Deputy Director John Nochi said the A Line will link Ahua Lagoon Drive Station with Manoa using fewer stops than today’s Route A, the U Line will provide a limited‑stop, U‑shaped service focused on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and East Honolulu, and the W Line will operate direct airport‑to‑Waikiki service via Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana Boulevard. “We want them to look and feel like a swift, direct and connected extension of our Skyline system,” Nochi said.

DTS plans earlier operating hours for Skyline and higher overall span: 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week, when Segment 2 opens. To integrate bus and rail, DTS will deviate trunk routes (40, 42 and 51) to touch Lagoon Drive Station and strengthen Kalihi‑Nimitz connections via Route 7. DTS said those adjustments aim to reduce transfers and speed travel between suburbs and stations.

Public commenters urged DTS to retain service for riders who rely on existing routes. Michael DeLeon and Ross Isokane expressed opposition to the possible elimination of Route 20, which serves Chinatown and downtown kupuna and residents. “It will greatly disrupt their lives, their routines, especially the elderly and disabled,” DeLeon said. Nochi said DTS has implemented substitute services in recent years — including a Chinatown shuttle (Route 151) and strengthened Route 7 — and that the W Line intentionally reduces stops to speed travel.

Council members asked about operations and rider information. DTS said new stop signage and printed timetables will be available at thebus.org and transit distribution locations ahead of the opening; digital materials are already posted. Nochi also described station queuing plans for Lagoon Drive Station, saying rapid bus stops will be located close to the station exit while local buses will stop after crossing Oʻolena Street; both sides will have plazas and signalized crosswalks.

Committee members and residents asked about service to Central Oahu and the North Shore. Nochi said staffing shortages at the operator (bus driver recruitment) limited the scale of simultaneous changes at opening; DTS will consider phased rollouts for longer‑distance or higher‑frequency expansions when driver availability improves.

The committee did not take formal action on the briefing; members recommended continued outreach and scheduled public hearings tied to related ordinances and route changes.