STAND. COM. REP. NO. 249

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 774

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 774 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RIDESHARING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to create a senior vanpool Hawaii program as a two-year pilot project.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, AARP Hawaii, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that senior citizens are most in need of ordinary daily transportation.  Currently, public transportation is limited to the public bus or the handi‑van service.  Yet, many seniors may prefer not to ride the bus or may not otherwise qualify for the handi-van.  It is this gap group of the population who would benefit from a vanpool type arrangement with volunteer drivers.  Such a program would be patterned after the vanpool arrangement for commute-to-work.  For example, a senior citizen could utilize a vanpool for transportation to locations within the community, including food establishments, adult day care, shopping centers, markets, and recreational centers.  The proposed senior vanpool Hawaii program is similar to the City and County of Honolulu's Handi-Van service.

     The intent of this measure is to increase the quality of life for senior citizens who are not handicapped and yet have difficulty commuting on their own.  This is the gap group that is underserved by public transportation.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 774 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair