HI HCR96

Pearl City School District is experiencing a transportation shortage due to bus driver shortages that have persisted since at least 1991, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than a dozen Pearl City students currently lack transportation services and are on a waitlist despite potential unused bus seats.

Department of Education requires students to live at least one mile from school to qualify for regular bus service, with minimum route ridership of 48 students for elementary schools.

Requests Department of Education to immediately provide bus service to all waitlisted students, utilize smaller buses with lower ridership minimums, develop a bus driver training program, and explore staggered school start times.

Pearl City School District serves approximately 5,000 students, with about 500 currently using bus services.