HI HR90

Pearl City School District experiences a transportation shortage due to bus driver shortage that has existed since at least 1991, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

Department of Education requires students live at least one mile from school to qualify for bus service, and routes must have minimum 48 student riders for elementary schools; approximately 500 of 5,000 Pearl City students currently use bus services.

More than a dozen Pearl City students currently lack transportation and are on a waitlist despite potentially available bus seats.

Department of Education is requested to immediately provide bus service to all waitlisted students, identify schools lacking regular transportation, utilize smaller buses with lower ridership minimums, and develop a bus driver training program.

Department of Education is also requested to enhance parent outreach, establish a driver "pool" with community partners, and explore staggered school start and end times to improve transportation options.