Council advances proposed transit fare changes; disability advocates and others warn of costs and access impacts

The Honolulu City Council advanced a package of changes to transit fares and fare policy (Bill 54, CD1) to a second-reading vote, but the measure drew objections and calls for revisions from disability advocates, transit riders and several council members.

Bill 54 would adjust fares, add fare caps and expand some reduced-fare categories, while also proposing changes that would end the automatic free ride for a personal care attendant (PCA) accompanying a rider — an item that drew strong testimony in opposition from disability advocates. Brian Mick, speaking for the Disability and Communication Access Board, asked the council to restore Medicare cardholders to the reduced-fare eligibility list and opposed changing the PCA waiver. “We are concerned with the changes to the current policy of waiving the fare for a personal care attendant,” Mick said.

Several public witnesses who rely on paratransit or who accompany disabled riders urged the council to keep the PCA waiver. Kailey Swan and Don Sakamoto described real-world difficulties if attendants had to pay per ride. “Bill 54 changes that; we will have to pay,” Swan testified, asking the council to maintain free PCA rides.

Council members also debated the fare levels and the distributional impacts. Council Member dos Santos Tam described public opposition from bus riders and said the proposed per-ride increases would disproportionately affect youth, seniors and low-income riders. She said the city’s low-income fare program was under-used and urged greater outreach: “As of July 2025, we have had 1,097 people apply for this program — that is very small compared to those who are eligible,” she said.

Several council members said they were open to amending the bill in committee. Council Member Cordero recorded reservations about the increases and noted concerns about students and teachers who depend on bus service. Council Member Weier objected to the measure at final action, and other members recorded reservations on the record, but the committee report (CR265) and Bill 54 CD1 were adopted and passed second reading. The council noted objections and reservations tied to the bill as it moves on.

Discussion vs. decision: The motion to adopt the committee report and pass Bill 54 to second reading succeeded; however, council members asked for further committee discussion and asked the Department of Transportation Services to provide more information on outreach and on fare-waiver mechanics before final adoption.

Ending: The council advanced the fare package but signaled it expects more committee-level revisions — particularly to keep access for riders with disabilities, to restore Medicare cardholders to reduced-fare lists and to improve promotion of the low-income fare program so eligible riders can enroll.