Committee forwards bill to extend Hawaii County fare-free transit through Dec. 31, 2028

The Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit in Hawaii County voted 8-0 to forward Bill 75 to the full council with a favorable recommendation, extending the county's temporary suspension of fares for fixed-route mass transit through Dec. 31, 2028. The committee met in the Hilo County Building Council Chambers and received one public testimony and a briefing from Mass Transit Agency staff before the roll call vote.

Committee Chair James Eustace opened the item and called for public testimony; Susan Hamilton, who identified herself as "an occasional rider of the bus," urged the committee to "please keep it free for those that work on the other side at minimum wage jobs and really rely on it," and asked for clearer signage at rural stops.

Acting Mass Transit Administrator Zach Burgum and agency accountant Kelly Ann Fujii briefed the committee on grants, operations and planned changes tied to the bill. Burgum said the agency expects to rely on existing federal and state grants to support operations while fares are suspended and pursue new programs, including a microtransit pilot for rural areas. "Micro transit…