Kihei, Ka'anapali Bus Routes Returning July 1; Other Maui Bus Changes Coming

Kihei Villager and Ka'anapali Islander bus routes to resume July 1 after months of pandemic-forced inactivity

Key connector bus routes from Kihei to Ma'alaea and through the Ka'anapali tourist zone will return July 1 after being suspended since the start of the pandemic emergency, officials announced Monday.

Resuming services will be the fixed-route bus service by the Kihei Villager Route #15, which connects Kihei with Ma'alaea and beyond, and the Ka'anapali Islander Route 25 which runs between Lahaina and Whaler's Village.

In other changes, a reduced-rate monthly bus pass was expanded to also include paratransit-eligible residents, and Medicare cardholders. It will combine fixed-route senior, student and persons with disability monthly passes into a single pass called a Reduced Monthly Pass, for $25.

Notes: Certified disabilities fixed route applicants shall be required to register with Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. to qualify for this rate. Please contact MEO at (808) 249-2900 for information or an application. Students must be 24 years old or younger and present a valid ID; and seniors fares are for people age 55 and older.

Other Maui Bus fares for fixed routes and commuter services will remain unchanged. All monthly and daily passes will no longer available for ADA Paratransit Service. The $2 one-way fare option will remain.

A 12-Ride (one-way trip) ticket book will be available for purchase for $20. The ticket book is valid from July 1 through June 30, 2022.

Children 5 years and under travel free, and must be accompanied by a paying passenger for fixed routes only.

The Maui Bus fare changes are part of the recommendations provided by the Maui Bus Rates & Fee Study. The study also considered recommendations from the Maui Short Range Transit Plan and Performance and Fiscal Audits of the Department of Transportation. The final Maui Bus Rates & Fee Study is available at www.gettingonboardmauibus.com.

Also beginning July 1:

• Maui Bus Commuter Service will resume for the Makawao-Kapalua Commuter, Kihei-Kapalua Commuter, Haiku-Wailea Commuter, and the Wailuku-Kapalua #3 and #4. Please note that all times for the reinstated routes will go back to Pre-COVID routing and time schedule.

Safety Survey Campaign

As part of the launch of a safety survey campaign, the department will have personnel available to answer questions the next 2 days at the following locations:

• Queen Ka`ahumanu Center Transit Hub, 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, June 9
• Wharf Cinema Center Transit Hub, 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, June 10

Safety-related inquires or concerns can be submitted to public.transit@mauicounty.gov

Federal mandates require masks to be worn at all times while using public transportation, which includes at bus stops, and boarding and riding Maui Bus routes. Face masks must cover both nose and mouth.

For more information, please contact the Maui County Department of Transportation at 270-7511 or email public.transit@mauicounty.gov. Follow on Instagram at @themauibus.