FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               November 7, 2005

Release No. M-94

PILOT PROGRAM WILL EXPAND BUS SERVICE TO WAIPIO GENTRY

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the City Department of Transportation Services announced today that TheBus will soon be providing expanded service to the Waipio Gentry area with a new pilot program.

            Beginning Monday, December 5, 2005, Route 433, which currently travels between Waipahu Transit Center and Waikele Shopping Center, will be extended to provide service to the Gentry Business Park area, where Kaiser Waipio Clinic and Waipio Costco are located, for the Monday through Saturday schedule.

            “We are expanding this route in recognition of the increasing importance of Waipio Gentry as an area of commerce that provides a number of services for the Central Oahu region,” said Hannemann. “We hope the modified bus route will make public transit a viable option for patrons of the area businesses and their workers.” 

            City Councilman Nestor Garcia said, “The extended service will make it easier for Waipio Gentry residents to travel to the Waipahu Transit Center, where they can make connections to many east- and west-bound routes.”

            The change represents the City’s first step in implementing its Central Oahu Bus Service Plan. The Waipio area is currently served by Route 62, which serves Wahiawa Heights to Ala Moana Center, as well as the Route 96, Waipio Gentry Express, which provides commuter service to downtown Honolulu.

            For more information about this route modification and other bus service, call 848-5555 or check out TheBus web site at www.thebus.org.

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Contact:

              Mark Matsunaga, public affairs officer, 527-5767