RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, many elderly individuals on Oahu are finding it difficult to utilize the present public bus transportation system, as do elderly individuals in other counties in which such a system exists; and

WHEREAS, these seniors are a gap group of people who depend on public transportation on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, for various reasons, many physically well seniors have a difficult time utilizing regular city buses but do not qualify for handi-van service; and

WHEREAS, for example, many seniors have a difficult time standing to wait for a bus and then having to stand on a moving bus; and

WHEREAS, buses are very often full especially during peak travel times, making it difficult for seniors to ride when there is standing room only; and

WHEREAS, another problem for seniors is having to walk a distance to a bus stop from their residence and the lack of convenient express bus service near their residence; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the counties to provide convenient, efficient, and customer-oriented public transportation services, particularly for the senior population; and

WHEREAS, if a county does not have a public bus transportation system, it should nonetheless provide for the transportation needs of seniors in some fashion; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, County of Kauai, and County of Hawaii are requested to develop a strategic plan in their respective county for senior transportation options; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, County of Kauai, and County of Hawaii are requested to report respectively on their progress in developing a strategic plan for senior transportation options to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

Report Title:

Transportation Options for Seniors