Da Shadow: Bus, waste

•Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.

Islandwide

How much did the county pay for the new computer system for The Kauai Bus?

The investment in the new Computer-Aided Dispatch software, and installation of Automated Vehicle Locators, allows the county to implement real-time information for bus riders, dispatchers and managers, maximize efficiencies of its costly paratransit operation, and increase the reliability of transit data required to be submitted to the National Transit Database annually. The department is in the process of aligning the program’s operating parameters with Kauai Bus service requirements. The goal is to improve service provided to our customers while also increasing operating efficiency. The county paid $48,303.80 for this system, while majority of the cost was paid for through a federal grant of $193,303.80.

Is the paratransit bus sent out to pick up one person? It seems there are two, three buses out with only a few people in them.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires public transit systems to provide paratransit service for individuals with disabilities who are unable to utilize the fixed route bus system due to a disability. Paratransit service is demand-driven to serve the many transportation needs of individuals with disabilities and the elderly on Kauai, and therefore the number of individuals riding in a paratransit bus at any given time will depend upon how many individuals request rides from different areas at varying times of the day. Additionally, if a driver is at the beginning or nearing the end of a series of pickups and drop offs, it is highly likely that there will be just a few riders on board.

How much does the county spend on annual services by Garden Island Disposal?

This question was asked and answered in April 2013. Below is an updated response: Under the current contract, the county pays a flat fee of $41,997.65 per month for the Kauai Recycles Drop Bin program. The service includes rental of the drop bins at all eight locations, 160 hauls per month (sites have different hauling schedules depending on usage), processing and marketing of materials, promotional activities, and mixed paper, newspaper and cardboard recycling at county offices. The county is currently in the process of negotiating a new contract for services for another 5-year term with GID which will commence in December 2016. The number of hauls will be increasing, as well as the promotional activity, and recycling services at the County Civic Center.

Who is the contractor that takes green waste, how much is accepted, and how much does the county pay for annual services?

This question was asked and answered in May 2015. Below is an updated response: Approximately 20,000 tons of green waste was accepted at county facilities and processed in FY 2016. We have three contractors (Heart and Soul Organics, Kauai Nursery and Shredco) who have permits issued by the State Department of Health to accept and compost green waste. Each contractor serves regional areas where green waste is generated. Our current budget for green waste contract services is $1.4 million.

Who is responsible for picking up the bodies of cats that get hit and killed along the highways and roads?

The Public Works Roads Division will pick up dead cats that are on public roadways.

Kapaa

What is the current plan and status to reopen the Twin Reservoirs?

The county and other property owners of the Twin Reservoirs are working toward a solution to decommission these reservoirs.

••• Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528. Visit his website at http://theshadow96746.tripod.com.