LIHU‘E — New legislation could make school bus transportation free for working families in Hawai‘i.
State Rep. Jeanné Kapela (D-District 5) introduced House Bill 828 on Jan. 25, seeking free bus transportation for all students that qualify for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program. Her goal is for the proposal to go into effect on July 1.
HB 828 passed its second reading on Feb. 7 and has been referred to the Committee on Finance for further disposition.
“I introduced HB 828 to strengthen access to bus service in Hawai‘i,” said Kapela in an email response to The Garden Island. “This bill would guarantee transportation access for those who are having trouble affording the cost of bus service.”
Students who qualify for free lunch are already able to receive free bus transportation, but HB 828 is working to extend that policy to students receiving lunch at a reduced price.
Students qualify for free and reduced lunch based on family income and size. For reference, a family of four has to make under $41,496 annually to receive free lunch for their child, and under $59,052 annually to qualify for reduced-price lunch.
School bus passes in Hawai‘i are charged quarterly at $72 roundtrip, $36 one way, or $10 for 10 coupons.
Kapela said that her district, on Hawai‘i Island, is struggling with high rates of absenteeism in schools, and that access to free bus transportation would help address the issue.
Kapela noted the pandemic worsened the transportation problem in schools, causing a shortage of bus drivers and the cancellation of many routes.
She also pointed to the state’s high cost of living, adding that many families can’t afford to drive their children to school.
“Some families can’t even afford a car as our state’s cost of living and cost of housing continue to skyrocket,” Kapela said.
House Majority Leader Daynette “Dee” Morikawa (D-District 17) of Kaua‘i, called the cost of bus transportation “a great concern” in an email to The Garden Island.
“If we could make that free or very affordable to all students, parents would not need to bear the burden of paying for that service, which can be very expensive,” she said.
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Emma Grunwald, reporter, can be reached at 808-652-0638 or egrunwald@thegardenisland.com.
