Hele-On Bus

{{Outdated|date=February 2025|reason=Logos are outdated; New bus routes may need to be reflected}}{{Short description|Public transit service on Hawaii Island, Hawaii}} {{Infobox Bus transit | name = Hele-On Bus | logo = Hele-On Bus logo.svg | logo_size = 250px | image = Hele-On Bus in Kailua Kona.jpg | image_caption = [[Gillig Phantom]] Hele-On Bus #341 (formerly operated by [[TheBus (Honolulu)|TheBus]]) on the [[Hawaii (island)|Big Island]], Hawaiʻi | parent = [[Hawaii County, Hawaii|Hawaiʻi County]] | founded = {{start date|1973|11|29}} | headquarters = [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo, Hawaiʻi]] | locale = | service_area = [[Hawaii County, Hawaii|Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi]] | service_type = [[bus service]], [[paratransit]] | alliance = | routes =12 | destinations = | stops = | hubs =Hilo | stations = | lounge = | fleet =55 | fuel_type =Diesel, Gasoline, Electric, Hydrogen | operator =[[Roberts Hawaii]] | ceo =Victor Kandle (Mass Transit Administrator) | leader_type = | leader = | website = {{official website|https://www.heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov/}} }} '''Hele-On Bus''' is the [[public transport bus service]] provided by the [[County of Hawaiʻi]] on the [[Hawaii (island)|Big Island of Hawaiʻi]], within the state of [[Hawaiʻi]], [[United States]]. It serves a limited number of routes on limited frequency.

==History== Prior to 1976, public transport in the [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]] area was provided by "sampan" buses converted locally from conventional passenger automobiles and operated as taxi or jitney services.<ref>{{cite journal |jstor=20712530 |title=Fifty Years of Jitneys: The Sampans of Hilo |author1=Cauley, Jon|author2-link=Martin T. Farris |author2=Farris, Martin T. |date=Summer 1979 |volume=18 |number=4 |pages=36–45 |journal=Transportation Journal}}</ref><ref name=PBN-1996>{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/1996/09/09/story7.html |title=Sampans will remain a part of downtown Hilo |author=Gillingham, Paula |date=September 8, 1996 |work=Pacific Business News |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hamakuasprings.com/2010/10/hilo-sampans-then-and-now/ |title=Hilo sampans then and now |author=Ha, Richard |date=October 22, 2010 |publisher=Hamakua Springs |website=Ha Ha Ha! [blog] |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> The first "sampan" was credited to Hilo taxi driver Fukumatsu Kusumoto, who converted a Ford in 1922 by expanding the passenger compartment and installing wooden benches.<ref name=PBN-1996/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5323396ae4b06eaabe86d4e8/t/597bf93f9de4bb91f406a782/1501296961033/0917_HAW_Showroom.pdf |title=1950 Chevrolet Hilo Sampan |author=Zieke, Paul |publisher=AAA |access-date=22 January 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128083336/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5323396ae4b06eaabe86d4e8/t/597bf93f9de4bb91f406a782/1501296961033/0917_HAW_Showroom.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Most sampans retained the passenger compartment from the back of the driver's seat forward; the remainder of the body was cut away and replaced with a homebuilt open-sided bed with a canvas roof, accommodating approximately twelve passengers on longitudinal benches. In Hawaiian, sampan buses are called ''kaa huli aku huli mai'', the 'face one another' bus, after the bench seating arrangements. A 1971 article promoting tourism to the island called them "as anachronistic and beloved as [[San Francisco cable car system|San Francisco's cable cars]]."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/435820490/ |title=Snow bunnies flock to the Big Island |date=September 12, 1971 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

In the late 1930s, sampan bus fares dropped from 15 cents to 5 cents as competition increased.<ref>{{cite interview |url=https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/30392 |title=Interview with Tokusuke Oshiro |subject=Oshiro Tokusuke |interviewer=Kodama Michiko |date=1980 |publisher=University of Hawaii, Manoa |access-date=27 January 2021 |quote=Until 1938 we lived in Waiakea Homestead. For a while I worked as a sampan bus driver. The fare was 15 cents for commuting to Hilo; but because there were many buses and there was a lot of competition, we charged 10 cents or so in secret. That, however, did not work too well. I had something like a contract to give children rides to and from school. The fare was $2.50 or $3.00 a month per child. After five or six years, times became harder and fewer jobs were available. Portuguese men started to become bus drivers and they only charged 5 cents a ride. I thought that there was no future in the job and decided to join the Waiakea Plantation.}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors of the County of Hawai{{okina}}i created the Bus Control Committee in 1948 to regulate the sampan bus industry, and required all licensed operators to use the terminal in Mo{{okina}}oheau Park starting in 1949.<ref>{{cite court |vol=44 |reporter=Haw. |opinion=312 |litigants=Godoy Etc. v. Hawaii County |date=1960 |court=[[Supreme Court of Hawaii|Hawaii]] |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2611218/godoy-etc-v-hawaii-county/}} (also 354 P.2d 78)</ref> A law was passed in 1962 to exempt sampan buses from the vehicle safety laws introduced by the 1961 Motor Carriers Act;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/259775594/ |title=Safety Exemption Bill Signed |date=May 16, 1962 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> the sampan bus exemption remained until 2014, limited to a radius of {{convert|20|mi}} centered on Hilo,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrsarchive/hrs2014/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0286/HRS_0286-0207.htm |title=Hawaii Revised Statutes, §286–207 Exemptions, certain vehicles |date=2014 |publisher=State of Hawai{{okina}}i |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> when it was removed via HB2351/SB2901.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/Archives/measure_indiv_Archives.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2901&year=2014 |title=SB2901 SD1 HD1 CD1 |date=June 26, 2014 |publisher=Hawaii State Legislature |access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> At one point, there were more than 80 sampan buses in Hilo, but only 9 were left by 1972.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/269703933/ |title=Hilo's ancient sampan gets new lease on life |date=June 11, 1972 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> The [[Lyman House Memorial Museum]] offered tours of Hilo starting in 1988, aboard a restored vintage 1948 Plymouth 13-passenger sampan bus,<ref name=HA-1988/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/27/travel/hawaii-s-gentle-throwback.html |title=Hawaii's Gentle Throwback |author=Reinhold, Robert |date=December 27, 1992 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> but it was sold to Hamakua Springs Country Farms proprietor Richard Ha in the early 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hamakuasprings.com/2007/03/chef_peter_merr/ |title=This Old Car |author=Ha, Richard |date=March 9, 2007 |website=Ha Ha Ha! [blog] |publisher=Hamakua Springs |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

===Origins=== In 1968, the County Economic Development Department began considering whether to subsidize or assume control of the aging sampan fleet, concluding it would cost an estimated $95–100,000/year to operate five routes. At that point, the average sampan bus was 20 years old, operated by drivers averaging 58 years old earning a net income of only $1 to $1.25 per hour after expenses.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/271018614/ |title=Hilo sampan buses face cost squeeze |date=June 13, 1968 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Hawai{{okina}}i County Councilman James Souza sponsored a bill to create a County transportation agency in 1971,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/555650811/ |title=Council Okays Souza Bill Calling For County Transportation Group |date=February 12, 1971 |newspaper=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> and the County was awarded a $31,616 federal grant that June to begin studying the area's transportation needs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/555495950/ |title=Transportation Department Approves $31,616 Grant For Hawaii County |author=Kennedy, Bill |date=June 1, 1971 |newspaper=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> The ''Hawaii County Transit System'' report was published in May 1972<ref>{{cite report |title=Hawaii County Transit System, Project No. HI-09-0004 |author=Alan M. Voorhees & Associates, Inc. |date=May 1972 |publisher=County of Hawai{{okina}}i}}</ref> and submitted to the County Council in September of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=924822&page=1&cr=1 |title=Recommendations of the Planning, Economic Development and Legislative Committee |date=September 7, 1972 |publisher=Councilmen, County of Hawaii |access-date=27 January 2021 |archive-date=6 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206041244/http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=924822&page=1&cr=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The county transportation system was officially launched on November 29, 1973 with a bus that ran from [[Waiohinu, Hawaii|Waiohinu]] to Hilo,<ref name=HA-1973/> after being championed by Hawai{{okina}}i County Councilman (and eventual County Mayor) [[Dante Carpenter]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/262573816/ |title=New mayor plans get-tough approach on Big Island |author=Clark, Hugh |date=December 2, 1984 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> The new service was named "Hele On" after a [[Pidgin Hawaiian]] phrase meaning "to get out of here" or "to move along".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hawaiilife.com/blog/20-easy-ways-to-speak-pidgin/ |title=20 Easy Ways to Speak Mo' Bettah Pidgin Today |author=Severson, Anna |date=July 15, 2016 |website=Hawaii Life [blog] |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> Olan Carpenter, wife of Dante, came up with the name. The service's first logo was a blue circle with a tire track in the center and two bare, yellow feet on either side of the track, devised by Colleen Shimazu.<ref name=HA-1973>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14596186/the-honolulu-advertiser/ |title=Big Isle's 'Hele On' off and running |date=November 30, 1973 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> In 1975, the Mass Transit Agency (MTA) bought out and shut down the sampan system,<ref name=HA-1988>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/267668099/ |title=Shades of the past: Hilo has a sampan bus again |author=Clark, Hugh |date=July 10, 1988 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> then began providing public transportation services for the County of Hawai{{okina}}i as the Hele-On Bus system.<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|13}} The County Council decided to solicit bids to operate the service as a performance-based contract, provided as a cost per bus-hour, in September 1975.<ref name=HSB-1975/> The operation contract was initially awarded to Laupahoehoe Transportation Company.<ref name=HA-1984>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/264507865/ |title=Moment of truth nears for Hele-On bus experiment |author=Clark, Hugh |date=May 4, 1984 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>

The first bus ran on December 15, 1975 on a {{convert|36|mi|adj=on}} roundtrip route within Hilo, serving Keaukaha (Kalanaia - Kalanianaole - Kaumana). Uniquely, there were no scheduled stops: passengers made stop requests or flagged down the bus while it was enroute, and the driver was free to choose a safe place to stop. At some of the tight intersections in the city, the bus was unable to negotiate some turns without having all other vehicles cleared, and that first trip took 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete.<ref name=HA-1975>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24581195/the-honolulu-advertiser/ |title=Response slow to transit start |author=Clark, Hugh |date=December 16, 1975 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Fares for urban routes (within Hilo and Kona) were {{USD|0.25|1975|round=2}}.<ref name=HA-1981>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/268117440/ |title=55-cent Big Isle bus fare urged |author=Clark, Hugh |date=August 7, 1981 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> In May 1976, Hele-On began testing bus service west from Hilo to Kona and back via [[Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Waimea]], [[Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area|Hāpuna Beach]], [[Puako, Hawaii|Puako]], [[Waikoloa Beach#Anaehoomalu Bay|{{okina}}Anaeho{{okina}}omalu Bay]], and Kailua; the service at that time included a single trip that ran east from Kona to Hilo and back. Round trip fare was {{USD|4|1976|round=2}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/261574976/ |title=Hilo-Kona bus scheduled |date=May 1976 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Fares for rural routes (crossing the island) were typically higher; for example, the Kona→Hilo fare was {{USD|2.25|1975|round=2}}.<ref name=HA-1981/> By 1977, Hele-On was recognized as a bargain for both locals and tourists.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/462639475/ |title=The Hele-On: Movin' out in Hawaii |date=May 1, 1977 |author=Connelly, Dolly |newspaper=San Francisco Examiner |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> However, the [[farebox recovery ratio]] for only two routes was greater than 50%, with the systemwide ratio at 32.9%.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/15663968/the-honolulu-advertiser/ |title=Big Isle bus business roars ahead again |date=July 1, 1976 |newspaper=Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/261630705/ |title=November ridership boomed |date=January 20, 1978 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

===Fare hikes=== The first proposed fare hike in 1981 would have increased urban fares by 30 cents and rural fares by 15 to 50 cents;<ref name=HA-1981/> using the original fares established in 1975, the farebox recovery ratio had declined to 19% systemwide, and the County Council approved an increase that would double fares systemwide (for both urban and rural routes) in April 1982.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/264483015/ |title=Council gives okay to higher bus fares |date=February 4, 1982 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Due to annual operating deficits of nearly $1 million,<ref name=HA-1984/> a proposal was advanced in 1985 to reduce service significantly, which was opposed by many.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/263022567/ |title=Proposal to cut back Big Island bus service running into opposition |author=Clark, Hugh |date=October 23, 1985 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> As a compromise, MTA proposed less-severe cuts in service and additional fare hikes, which was approved by the County Council.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/263015096/ |title=Bus system will hele-on awhile longer |date=November 13, 1985 |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> In 1986, the County Council voted to award the operating contract to PHT, Inc.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/555958931/ |title=Council OKs CIP Projects; new transit firm to take over Hele-On buses soon |author=Reed, Chris |date=December 4, 1986 |newspaper=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Mass Transit Grant (5118803634).jpg|thumb|right|Sen. [[Daniel Inouye]] presents a novelty check to Mayor [[Billy Kenoi]] in October 2010 representing $7.2M in federal grants.]] Fares for the Hele-On Bus were waived in 2009 in response to the [[2008 economic downturn]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hawaii247.com/2009/10/26/mayor-proposes-extension-of-free-county-wide-bus-service/ |title=Mayor proposes extension of free, county-wide bus service |date=October 26, 2009 |work=Hawaii 24/7 |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> and ridership rose to more than 1 million passenger trips in one year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hawaii247.com/2009/07/23/county-transit-network-tops-1-million-passenger-trips/ |title=County transit network tops 1 million passenger trips |date=July 23, 2009 |work=Hawaii 24/7 |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> In October 2010, Senator [[Daniel Inouye]] presented a check for $7.2 million to County Mayor [[Billy Kenoi]] and MTA Director Tom Brown, representing the award of two grants from the [[Federal Transit Administration]]. The grants would be used for purchasing new buses ($3.2 million) and building a new baseyard ($4 million) for MTA administration, bus operations, and maintenance. At the time, it was the largest transit grant ever awarded in the state.<ref name=H247/>

===Crisis=== However, from 2014 to 2018, MTA failed to file any new federal grant applications, which would have provided funds to purchase buses at no cost to the county.<ref name=WHT-2020-01-19/> By 2017, nearly half of the county-owned Hele-On Bus fleet (25 of 55 buses) was laid up requiring major repairs, leading to canceled service and a request to have buses donated from Honolulu.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2017/04/23/hawaii-news/bus-woes-escalate-almost-half-the-hele-on-bus-fleet-broken-down/ |title=Bus woes escalate: Almost half the Hele-On bus fleet broken down |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=April 23, 2017 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> Seven [[Gillig Phantom]] buses, originally built in 1997, arrived from Honolulu in July 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2017/07/06/hawaii-news/honolulu-buses-to-the-rescue-beleaguered-hele-on-system-gets-reinforcements/ |title=Honolulu buses to the rescue: Beleaguered Hele-On system gets reinforcements |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=July 6, 2017 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> When county-owned buses were unavailable, MTA were forced to substitute privately owned rental buses, school buses, or vans.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2017/07/23/hawaii-news/taking-the-bus-cost-an-issue-as-hele-on-management-strives-to-improve/ |title=Taking the bus: Cost an issue as Hele-On management strives to improve |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=July 23, 2017 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> In 2018, MTA began public meetings to discuss and finalize the ''Transit Master Plan'' then under preparation. The plan's lead author, Cheryl Soon, minced no words regarding the system's status: "Your transit system is in dire straits. … It is not in a good place. Your buses are broken down. … You're hanging by a thread," adding that short-term substitute bus rentals were "wasting money every day" and could only be solved by purchasing buses.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/01/24/hawaii-news/consultant-hele-on-needs-buses-personnel-money/ |title=Consultant: Hele-On needs buses, personnel, money |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=January 24, 2018 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

In late 2019, only 10 or 12 county-owned buses were still operable,<ref name=WHT-2019-10-31/> leading to a "meltdown" of cancellations, delays, and riders turned away from over-capacity buses in January 2020.<ref name=WHT-2020-01-19>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/01/19/hawaii-news/bus-system-meltdown-leaves-schoolchildren-working-poor-stranded/ |title=Hele-On bus system 'meltdown' leaves schoolchildren, working poor stranded |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=January 19, 2020 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> The unavailability of county-owned buses could not be completely solved with short-term rentals from private bus operators, as the rented buses often did not provide [[Americans with Disabilities Act|ADA]]-compliant access.<ref name="WHT-2019-02-11">{{cite news |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=February 11, 2019 |title=Mass Transit administrator touts progress to County Council |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2019/02/11/hawaii-news/mass-transit-administrator-touts-progress-to-county-council/ |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/01/07/hawaii-news/routes-canceled-as-hele-on-bus-shortage-intensifies/ |title=Routes canceled as Hele-On bus shortage intensifies |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=January 7, 2020 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>

[[Roberts Hawaii]] took over the operating contract from [[Polynesian Adventure Tours]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/05/10/hawaii-news/on-a-roll-roberts-takes-over-hele-on-contract/ |title=On a roll: Roberts takes over Hele-On contract |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=May 10, 2020 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> Roberts had been awarded the contract on October 10, 2019, following the expiration of the previous contract on June 30, 2018, but a bid protest and irregularities in one of the RFP documents meant that a new round of bids was required.<ref name=WHT-2019-10-31>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2019/10/31/hawaii-news/bid-protest-stalls-bus-contract/ |title=Bid protest stalls bus contract |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=October 31, 2019 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2019/11/22/hawaii-news/more-delays-for-hele-on-contract/ |title=More delays for Hele-On contract |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=November 22, 2019 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> Under the prior contract with Polynesian Adventures, the contractor provided bus drivers for county-owned buses, and was paid to fill-in service using short-term bus rentals and drivers if the county was unable to supply enough buses. Because of its inadequate fleet availability, in Fiscal Year 2018, the County of Hawai{{okina}}i paid $6.58 million to rent fill-in buses and drivers, compared to spending just $2.86 million on drivers for county-owned buses.<ref name=WHT-2019-10-31/>

The [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] investigated MTA for violations of the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|Americans with Disabilities Act]] (ADA) and negotiated a settlement agreement released on August 24, 2021, in lieu of pursuing litigation against MTA. Under the settlement terms, MTA will repair "chronically inoperable" wheelchair lifts on its vehicles, and implement new training for personnel regarding their ADA obligations when serving disabled customers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Honore|first=Marcel|title=Investigation Uncovers Numerous ADA Violations In Hawaii Island's Transit Service|date=August 24, 2021|work=Honolulu Civil Beat|url=https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/investigation-uncovers-numerous-ada-violations-in-hawaii-islands-transit-service/|access-date=25 August 2021}}</ref>

===Hub-and-spoke=== Hele-On Bus is planning{{When|date=February 2025}} to modify its routes, shifting to a [[Spoke–hub distribution paradigm|hub-and-spoke system]] that will have three "full" [[transport hub]]s in major cities (Hilo/Mo{{okina}}oheau Bus Terminal, Kailua–Kona, Pāhoa) and multiple "satellite" hubs in smaller locations (Hilo/[[Prince Kūhiō Plaza]], Honoka{{okina}}a, Kea{{okina}}au, Ocean View, and Waimea) by 2025; large long-haul buses will take passengers between hubs, and smaller buses will be used for multiple circulator routes within each community, connecting various destinations at their respective hubs.<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|88}} In March 2021, MTA announced that development was proceeding for four locations (Hilo, Kona, Pāhoa, and Waimea) and comments were being solicited on a list of 11 potential Kona hub sites.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2021/03/19/hawaii-news/hele-on-hub-coming-to-kona/ |title=Hele-On hub coming to Kona |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=March 19, 2021 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://konahub.info/sites/konahub.info/files/u2/PowerPoint%20Presentation%201%20-%20Introduction%20to%20Hub%20and%20Spoke.pdf |title=Hub and Spoke for Kona |date=March 2021 |publisher=Mass Transit Agency of Hawai{{okina}}i County |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>

==Operations== ===Routes=== Hele-On Bus serves multiple fixed routes, including [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]]-[[Kailua Kona]] (Hilo - [[Honokaa, Hawaii|Honokaa]] - [[Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii|Waimea]], Kailua Kona, on [[Hawaii Route 190]]), Intra-Hilo routes, Intra-Kona routes (Kona - [[Captain Cook, Hawaii|Captain Cook]] - Kailua Kona - [[Kona International Airport]]) and others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/ |title=Bus Schedules & Maps |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131111001/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps |url-status=dead }}</ref> The routes can be broadly divided into one of three categories: Connector (providing service between communities), Circulator (providing service within a community), and Commuter (providing service from residential districts to employment centers with limited stops and scheduled departures).<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|37}}

Most of the Connector and Commuter routes follow the [[Hawaii Belt Road|Hawai{{okina}}i Belt Road]], comprising Hawaii Routes 11, 19, and 190 and running along the perimeter of the island. The routes serving the [[Kohala, Hawaii#North Kohala|North Kohala]] region run along [[ʻAkoni Pule Highway|{{okina}}Akoni Pule Highway]] (Hawaii Route 270), connecting with the Belt Road at [[Kawaihae, Hawaii|Kawaihae]].

The ''Transit Master Plan'' called for three new express routes: the Blue Line (which would run between Hilo and Kailua-Kona along Saddle Road ([[Hawaii Route 200]]) and Routes 19/190),<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|54}} the Green Line (between Honoka{{okina}}a and Kailua-Kona along Routes 19/190),<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|60}} and the Red Line (Hilo and Volcano along Route 11, complementing the existing line #10 Hilo – Volcano – Ka{{okina}}ū).<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|67}} The express routes would offer limited stop service to cut the trip time.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" |+ style="font-size:120%;" | Hele-On Bus routes<ref name=TMP-Task4>{{cite report |url=http://heleonmasterplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/170426-COH-TMP_Task-4-Existing-Conditions-04-26-2017.pdf |title=Transit Master Plan, Task 4: Existing Conditions |author1=SSFM International, Inc. |author2=Weslin Consulting Services, Inc. |date=April 2017 |publisher=County of Hawai{{okina}}i |access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref>{{rp|5}} |- | colspan=5 style="text-align:center;" | [[File:Hele-On Bus map (2021).svg|frameless|upright=4]] |- ! No.{{efn|Route numbers are based on the 2018 ''Master Plan'' report.<ref name=MasterPlan/>}} !! Name !! Region !! Service Hours !! Trips{{efn|Abbreviations used: * OW: one-way trips * RT: round trips * ''##'' min: [[headway]] between departures}} |- ! colspan=5 style="font-size:120%;" | Connector Routes{{efn|These routes connect different communities to provide commuting services.}} |- ! 1 | style="background:#f54;color:#fff;" | Hilo-Kailua Kona || East | 3:35 AM – 1:10 PM / 6:15 AM – 4:00 PM<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/kona-hilo-bus-schedule |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Kona-Hilo |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201145327/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/kona-hilo-bus-schedule |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 3 OW |- ! 2 | style="background:#37a;color:#fff;" | Blue Line Express, Hilo-Kona || East | || 2 RT |- ! 10 | style="background:#285;color:#fff;" | Hilo-Volcano-Ka{{okina}}ū || East | 5:00 AM – 4:40 PM<ref name=KVH-10-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/kau-volcano-hilo |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Ka'u-Volcano-Hilo |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130084247/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/kau-volcano-hilo |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{efn|One trip in each direction starts/ends at Oceanview Park & Ride, past the normal terminus at [[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park]].<ref name=KVH-10-sked/>}} || 5 RT |- ! 11 | style="background:#e44;color:#fff;" | Red Line Express, Hilo-Volcano || East | || 2 RT |- ! 40 | style="background:#37c;color:#fff;" | Hilo-Pahoa || East | 5:15 AM – 8:40 PM<ref name=HP-40-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/pahoa-pohoiki-hilo-bus-schedule-monday-saturday |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: (Kalapana)Seaview-Pahoa-Hilo |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119212135/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/pahoa-pohoiki-hilo-bus-schedule-monday-saturday |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{efn|Earliest trip in each direction is short-turned in Hilo, starting/ending at [[Prince Kuhio Plaza]].<ref name=HP-40-sked/>}} || 11 RT |- ! 60 | style="background:#e94;color:#fff;" | Hilo-Honoka{{okina}}a|| East | 3:15 AM – 7:15 PM<ref name=HH-60-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/honokaa-hilo |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Honoka{{okina}}a-Hilo |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119215756/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/honokaa-hilo |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 6-12 RT{{efn|Depending on the day of the week: 12 weekday round trips, 10 on Saturday, and 6 on Sunday.<ref name=HH-60-sked/>}} |- ! 80 | style="background:#37a;color:#fff;" | Hilo-South Kohala Resorts || East | 3:15 AM – 7:15 PM<ref name=H-SKR-80-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-waikoloa-resorts |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Hilo-South Kohala Resorts |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119204405/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-waikoloa-resorts |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 9 RT |- ! 90 | style="background:#ee2;color:#000;" | Pahala-Kailua Kona-South Kohala Resorts || West | 3:30 AM – 8:00 AM<ref name=PKS-90-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/pahala-south-kohala-resorts |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Pahala-Kona-South Kohala |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129150610/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/pahala-south-kohala-resorts |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 3 RT |- ! colspan=5 style="font-size:120%;" | Circulator Routes{{efn|These routes operate within a single community.}} |- ! 101 | style="background:#b58;color:#fff;" | Intra-Hilo Keaukaha || East | 7:00 AM – 5:40 PM<ref name=IHK-101-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-downtown-keaukaha |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Intra Hilo - Keaukaha |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307144958/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-downtown-keaukaha |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 9 RT 80 min |- ! 102 | style="background:#ec4;color:#000;" | Intra-Hilo Kaumana || East | 7:15 AM – 4:20 PM<ref name=IHK-102-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-downtown-ainako-kaumana |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Intra Hilo - Kaumana |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119214634/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-downtown-ainako-kaumana |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 6 RT |- ! 103 | style="background:#d85;color:#fff;" | Intra-Hilo Waiakea Uka || East | 7:05 AM – 3:20 PM<ref name=IHWU-103-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-downtown-waiakea-uka |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Intra Hilo - Waiakea Uka |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604095627/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/hilo-downtown-waiakea-uka |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 5 RT |- ! 104 | style="background:#5a8;color:#fff;" | Intra-Hilo Mohouli || East | || 6 RT |- ! 201 | style="background:#295;color:#fff;" | Kona Trolly || West | 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM<ref name=IK-201-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/intra-kona-7-1-2014 |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Intra Kona |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119210830/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/intra-kona-7-1-2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 6 RT |- ! 202 | style="background:#259;color:#fff;" | Intra-Kona Airport via Ane Keohokalole || West | || 9 RT |- ! 203 | style="background:#e54;color:#fff;" | Intra-Kona Airport via Hwy 190 || West | || 9 RT |- ! 204 | style="background:#939;color:#fff;" | Intra-Kona Kuakini Hwy || West | || 9 RT |- ! 301 | style="background:#457;color:#fff;" | Waimea Shuttle || North | 6:30 AM – 4:30 PM<ref name=WS-301-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/waimea-shuttle |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: Waimea Shuttle |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119214657/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/waimea-shuttle |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 11 RT 60 min |- ! 401 | style="background:#28b;color:#fff;" | HI Beaches-Nanawale-Seaview || East | || 10 RT |- ! 402 | style="background:#250;color:#fff;" | Paradise-Ainaloa-Orchidland || East | || 4 RT |- ! 403 | style="background:#285;color:#fff;" | Fern Forest || East | || 2 RT |- ! colspan=5 style="font-size:120%;" | Commuter Routes{{efn|These routes operate with limited stops and departures during peak commuting hours.}} |- ! 75 | style="background:#3ba;color:#fff;" | North Kohala-Waimea-Kailua Kona || West | 6:45 AM, 1:35 PM<ref name=NK-W-KK-75-sked>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/north-kohala-to-waimea-and-kailua-kona |title=Bus Schedules & Maps: North Kohala-Waimea-Kailua Kona |publisher=Hele-On Bus |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119204221/http://www.heleonbus.org/schedules-and-maps/north-kohala-to-waimea-and-kailua-kona |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{efn|Operates modified schedule on Saturdays.<ref name=NK-W-KK-75-sked/>}} || 1 RT |- ! 76 | style="background:#5b6;color:#fff;" | Green Line Express, Honoka{{okina}}a-Waimea-Kona || East | || 2 RT |- ! colspan=5 style="font-size:120%;" | Proposed Routes{{efn|These routes are proposed in Chapter 4 of the 2018 ''County of Hawai{{okina}}i Transit and Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan''.<ref name=MasterPlan>{{cite report |url=http://heleonmasterplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/180813-FINAL-FULL-REPORT-reduced.pdf |title=County of Hawai{{okina}}i Transit and Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan |author1=SSFM International, Inc. |author2=Weslin Consulting Services, Inc. |author3=Pacific Cartography |date=August 2018 |version=Final |publisher=County of Hawai{{okina}}i |access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref>}} |}

;Notes {{notelist|25em}}

===Paratransit=== Hele-On Bus started the Kako{{okina}}o paratransit service on July 1, 2016, as part of a settlement for a lawsuit filed by a rider who could not be accommodated on a Hele-On fixed route bus.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2016/08/19/hawaii-news/riders-praise-new-paratransit-system-gripe-about-price/ |title=Riders praise new paratransit system, gripe about price |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=August 19, 2016 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> Kako{{okina}}o is an on-demand ride serving Kona and Hilo, limited to riders who qualify through a separate application, and requires an appointment for each trip.<ref name=WHT-2019-02-11/> The terms of the settlement were announced in August 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2015/07/01/hawaii-news/county-to-settle-ada-lawsuit-over-hele-on-bus-service/ |title=County to settle ADA lawsuit over Hele-On bus service |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=July 1, 2015 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2015/08/26/hawaii-news/county-promises-pays-to-settle-ada-lawsuit/ |title=County promises, pays to settle ADA lawsuit |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=August 26, 2015 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

===Fares=== From 2005 to 2011 and again in 2022 there was no charge to ride the Hele-On Bus. The standard fare was increased to $1 in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bigislandnow.com/2013/06/27/cost-of-riding-hele-on-bus-going-up-monday/ |title=Cost of Riding Hele-On Bus Going Up Monday |author=Smith, Dave |date=June 27, 2013 |work=Big Island Now |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> As of July 1, 2013 fares were increased to two dollars per person (five years old or older). One dollar per [[suitcase]].<ref name=TMP-Task4/>{{rp|7}} Beginning February 28, 2022, the bus is fare free, and there are no baggage or bicycle fees.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;text-align:center;" |+Hele-On Bus fares (2013-2022)<ref name=TMP-Task4/>{{rp|7}} |- ! Type !! Regular !! Discount{{efn|Groups eligible for discounted fare are: * Seniors (60 and over) * Persons with Disabilities and ID card * Students with ID}} |- ! Cash{{efn|One-way fares; one free transfer is provided.}} | $2 || $1 |- ! Monthly pass | $60 || $45 |- ! 10-ticket sheet | $15 || $7.50 |}

;Notes {{notelist}}

The Hele-On Kako{{okina}}o paratransit is also fare free

===Fleet=== Buses are primarily white with colored horizontal stripes in green, blue, or gold.<ref name=Hele-On_Fleet>{{cite web |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/how-to-ride-hele-on/hele-on-fleet |title=Hele-On Fleet |publisher=Hawai{{okina}}i County Mass Transit Agency |access-date=22 January 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119221247/http://www.heleonbus.org/how-to-ride-hele-on/hele-on-fleet/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hele-On began receiving its first order of 15 new buses in 1975.<ref name=HSB-1975>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/271709627/ |title=Bids Cleared for Big Isle Bus Contract |date=September 11, 1975 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/261714652/ |title=Big Isle transit system still without organization |date=July 3, 1975 |newspaper=Honolulu Advertiser |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

In 2015, Hele-On listed 55 vehicles in the fleet, but 18 of those were inoperable or beyond repair. By June 2018, the fleet was down to just 11 vehicles, the oldest four of which had been transferred to Hele-On Bus by [[TheBus (Honolulu)]].<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|83}} As an example, Bus #701, an [[Alexander Dennis]] [[Alexander Dennis Enviro500|Enviro500]] was purchased in early 2010 at a cost of nearly US$900,000 and was intended to operate on the high-ridership cross-island line, but broke down after less than six months and {{convert|8432|mi}} and was not available for service again until late 2018.<ref name=WHT-2017-05-01>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2017/05/01/hawaii-news/the-wheels-come-off-chaos-at-mass-transit-baseyard-reflects-turmoil-in-agency/ |title=The wheels come off: Chaos at Mass Transit baseyard reflects turmoil in agency |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=May 1, 2017 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=WHT-2018-09-23>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/09/23/hawaii-news/double-decker-buses-to-hit-the-road/ |title=Double-decker buses to hit the road |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=September 23, 2018 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> #701 broke down again after a few months and was taken out of service completely.<ref name=WHT-2018-11-26>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/11/26/hawaii-news/mass-transit-recovery-ongoing/ |title=Mass Transit recovery ongoing |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=November 26, 2018 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> In addition, Maui donated a double-deck Enviro500 bus to Hawai{{okina}}i in 2018; it was originally built in 2004<ref name=WHT-2018-09-23/> and used in Kihei Islander service starting in 2013,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hawaiiahe.com/maui-county%E2%80%99s-first-double-decker-bus-dedicated/ |title=Maui County's first double-decker bus dedicated |date=March 12, 2013 |work=Hawaii Ahe |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> but the Maui Enviro500 was received in non-operating condition.<ref name=WHT-2018-11-26/> After accepting two donated buses from Maui in 2018, the County Council voted to pause further donations, citing concerns about maintenance and disposal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/10/05/hawaii-news/council-appreciates-bus-donations-but-wants-no-more/ |title=Council appreciates bus donations, but wants no more |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=October 5, 2018 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

One man stole buses in two separate incidents in August 2017. The first theft, which involved #342 and took place early in the morning of August 5, ended after the bus sideswiped another vehicle; the driver scheduled to operate #342 noticed it was missing, but it was not unusual for bus drivers to accidentally take a bus they were not assigned to drive. Police found the bus on August 6 while it was being driven on [[Hawaii Route 130]] and stopped it in Pahoa, arresting the driver.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.khon2.com/news/man-charged-after-hawaii-county-bus-stolen-involved-in-crash/ |title=Man charged after Hawaii County bus stolen, involved in crash |date=August 6, 2017 |work=KHON-2 News |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> The second theft came approximately three weeks after the first; the man had been placed under supervised release following the first theft.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/07/26/hawaii-news/serial-bus-thief-sentenced-to-5-years-in-prison/ |title=Serial bus thief sentenced to 5 years in prison |author=Burnett, John |agency=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |date=July 26, 2018 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> The same man apparently cut open the gate to the baseyard during the night of August 27–28, and after stealing another bus (#611),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2017/08/30/hawaii-news/county-getting-its-security-act-together-after-second-bus-stolen/ |title=County getting its 'security act together' after second bus stolen |date=August 30, 2017 |newspaper=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> was spotted by police in Hilo at 6:24 a.m., and taken into custody at 6:45 a.m. at the Kawamoto Swim Stadium.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.hawaiipolice.com/08-30-17-hilo-man-charged-with-second-bus-theft-kawelo-nakamura-update |title=08-30-17 Hilo man charged with second bus theft: Kawelo Nakamura (update) |date=August 30, 2017 |publisher=Hawai{{okina}}i Police Department |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

All four county mayors have signed a pledge to convert their transit bus fleets to renewable power by 2035.<ref name=WHT-2020-09-18/><ref name=CoF-2020>{{cite web |url=http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1004622 |title=Report of the Committee on Finance |date=September 15, 2020 |publisher=County of Hawai{{okina}}i |access-date=27 January 2021 |archive-date=6 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206102458/http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1004622 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A [[battery electric bus]] was received by Hele-On in early 2018, but was parked and not used until summer 2019 due to insurance and license issues.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2019/07/27/hawaii-news/electric-bus-demonstrates-inertia/ |title=Electric bus demonstrates inertia |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=July 27, 2019 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> In 2020, Hele-On Bus announced three hydrogen-powered buses had been donated: one was from the [[University of Hawaii]] Natural Energy Institute, a 2014 [[ENC (company)|ElDorado National]] 29-passenger [[ElDorado National Aero Elite|Aero Elite]] that had been converted from diesel to run on hydrogen fuel cells,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1003506 |title=Resolution No. 724-20 |date=October 7, 2020 |publisher=County of Hawai{{okina}}i |access-date=27 January 2021 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202021212/http://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1003506 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the other two were shuttle buses donated by [[Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park]]. All three were on Oahu pending funds to ship them to Hawai{{okina}}i, and would be used for Circulator service within Kailua-Kona.<ref name=CoF-2020/> Hydrogen is being produced at the [[Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority]].<ref name=WHT-2020-09-18>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/09/18/hawaii-news/long-awaited-hydrogen-buses-on-the-way-transit-administrator-predicts-first-bus-in-service-by-end-of-year/ |title=Long-awaited hydrogen buses on the way: Transit administrator predicts first bus in service by end of year |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=September 18, 2020 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

MTA was awarded a federal grant in 2019 to purchase 10 new {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} buses and planned to also expand coverage with new routes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2019/11/23/hawaii-news/more-buses-more-routes-for-hawaii-county/ |title=More buses, more routes for Hawaii County |author=Brestovansky, Michael |date=November 23, 2019 |newspaper=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> Four new 25-passenger buses were delivered in 2020 (although capacity was reduced to just 7 passengers to comply with [[social distancing]] requirements resulting from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]), and MTA won a grant to purchase 10 more {{convert|40|or|45|ft|adj=on}} buses that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/06/04/hawaii-news/9-5m-for-new-buses-operations-heading-to-county/ |title=$9.5M for new buses, operations heading to county |author=Lauer, Nancy Cook |date=June 4, 2020 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> Honolulu donated another 10 "hillclimber" {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} [[Gillig]] Phantom buses built in 1998 to Hele-On Bus in late 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/11/18/hawaii-news/a-top-priority-mass-transit-hopes-to-get-donated-buses-rolling-next-month/ |title='A top priority': Mass Transit hopes to get donated buses rolling next month |author=West, Chelsea Jensen |date=November 18, 2020 |work=West Hawaii Today |access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;" |+ style="font-size:120%;" | Hele-On Bus fleet<ref name=Hele-On_Fleet/><ref name=TMP-Task4.2>{{cite report |url=http://heleonmasterplan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/170206-COHTMP-Task-4_2-Infrastructure-170305.pdf |title=Transit Master Plan, Task 4.2: Transit Infrastructure |date=February 2017 |author1=SSFM International, Inc. |author2=Weslin Consulting Services, Inc. |publisher=County of Hawai{{okina}}i |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>{{rp|5–12}} |- ! Year !! Make / Model !! No. (Qty) !!class="unsortable" | Image !! Seats !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1995 || rowspan=2 | [[Gillig]] [[Gillig Phantom|Phantom]] || 667, 669 (2) | | rowspan=2 | 45 | style="text-align:left;" | Header signs non operational as of 2017.<ref name=TMP-Task4.2/>{{rp|11}} |- | 1997 || 341–347 (7) | | style="text-align:left;" | Transferred from [[TheBus (Honolulu)|TheBus]].<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|83}} |- | 2000 || rowspan=2 | [[Gillig]] [[Gillig Phantom|Phantom]] || 402 (1) | | rowspan=2 | 46 | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2 | Suburban model. |- | 2005 || 406, 408 (2) | |- | 2006 || [[ENC (company)|ElDorado National]] [[ElDorado National Aero Elite|Aero Elite]] ([[Chevrolet Kodiak]]-based cutaway) || 501–504 (4) | | 26 | style="text-align:left;" | |- | 2007 || [[Gillig]] [[Gillig Phantom|Phantom]] || 409–413 (5) | | 45 | style="text-align:left;" | |- | 2008 || [[ENC (company)|ElDorado National]] [[ElDorado National Aerotech|AeroTech]] ([[Chevrolet Express]]-based cutaway) || 101, 102, 104 (3) | | 15 | style="text-align:left;" | |- | 2010 || [[ENC (company)|ElDorado National]] [[ElDorado National Aero Elite|Aero Elite]] ([[International TC]]-based cutaway) || 305, 309, 312, 313 (4) | [[file:HeleOnBus-Short.jpg|125px]] | 34 | style="text-align:left;" | |- | 2010 || [[Alexander Dennis]] [[Alexander Dennis Enviro500|Enviro500]] || 701 (1) | [[File:Hele-On Bus No 701, profile.jpg|125px]] | 88 | style="text-align:left;" | First double-decker bus in the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://soderholmbus.com/news-events.html |title=News & Events |date=March 2011 |website=Soderholm Bus |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> Inaugural trip circling island took place on May 20, 2011 to gather food bank donations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hawaii247.com/2011/05/20/new-hele-on-double-decker-bus-debuts/ |title=New Hele-On double decker bus debuts |author=Sekiya, Baron |date=May 20, 2011 |work=Hawaii 24/7 |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Abandoned as of 2017 with transmission issues.<ref name=TMP-Task4.2/>{{rp|12}} |- | 2010 || rowspan=2 | [[Motor Coach Industries|MCI]] [[MCI D-Series|D4000CL]] || 601, 602, 604, 605 (4) | [[file:HeleOnBus-Long.jpg|125px]] | 50 | style="text-align:left;" | Purchased using federal grant for $3.2 million.<ref name=H247>{{cite news |url=https://hawaii247.com/2010/10/16/inouye-presents-largest-transportation-grant-to-a-neighbor-island/ |title=Inouye presents largest transportation grant to a neighbor island |date=October 16, 2010 |work=Hawaii 24/7 |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> Initial order was for seven, delivered in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10026561/county-of-hawaii-debuts-5-mci-coaches |title=County of Hawaii debuts 5 MCI coaches |date=January 15, 2010 |work=Metro Magazine |access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> |- | 2013 || 608 (1) | | 49 | style="text-align:left;" | |- | 2014 || [[ENC (company)|ElDorado National]] [[ElDorado National XHF|XHF]] || 801–803 (3) | | 42 | style="text-align:left;" | |- | 2014 || rowspan=2 | [[Motor Coach Industries|MCI]] [[MCI D-Series|D4000CL]] || 610–611 (2) | rowspan=2 | | rowspan=2 | 49 | style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2 | |- | 2015 || 612–613 (2) |}

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;" |+ style="font-size:120%;" | Hele-On Bus retired fleet<ref name=Hele-On_Fleet/> |- ! Year !! Make / Model !! No. (Qty) !!class="unsortable" | Image !! Seats !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1994 || [[Neoplan USA]] [[Neoplan Metroliner|Metroliner AN340/2]] || 201–207 (7) | | ? |style="text-align:left;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://utahrails.net/ajkristopans/NEOPLANUSA.php |title=Neoplan USA |author=Kristopans, Andre |date=October 5, 2014 |website=Utah Rails |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> |}

===Facilities=== [[File:Bus Terminal in Hilo.jpg|thumb|center|upright=4|Panorama of Mo{{okina}}oheau Bus Terminal in Hilo (2009)]] [[Russell Carroll Mooheau County Park|Mo{{okina}}oheau Park]] in Hilo has been used as a transfer point since the days of the "sampan" private buses, and serves as the primary transfer point for the Hele-On Bus system.<ref name=TMP-Task4.2/>{{rp|13}} The Mo{{okina}}oheau Bus Terminal was renovated in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://hawaii247.com/2013/01/20/mooheau-park-rededicated/ |title=Mooheau Park rededicated |date=January 20, 2013 |work=Hawaii 24/7 |access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> Other towns projected to require transit hubs in the future include Kona and Pāhoa.<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|88}} A new Kona hub could be near Old Kona Airport Park.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/04/13/hawaii-news/getting-on-board/ |title=Getting on board |author=West, Cameron Miculka |date=April 13, 2018 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

The contract to construct a new bus baseyard in Hilo, serving as the system maintenance facility, was awarded in 2015; the new baseyard would occupy a {{convert|5|acre|adj=on}} site at 2299 Ho{{okina}}olaulima Road,<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.heleonbus.org/news/notice-of-office-relocation-effective-monday-february-26-2018/ |title=Notice of office relocation effective Monday, February 26, 2018 |publisher=Hawai{{okina}}i County Mass Transit Agency |access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127111737/http://www.heleonbus.org/news/notice-of-office-relocation-effective-monday-february-26-2018/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> near a quarry.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2015/10/26/hawaii-news/hawaii-county-to-build-new-baseyard-for-buses/ |title=Hawaii County to build new baseyard for buses |author=Callis, Tom |agency=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |date=October 26, 2015 |newspaper=West Hawaii Today |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> The new baseyard opened in 2018,<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|85–86}} replacing a site on East Lanikaula Street and Railroad Avenue shared with County Public Works.<ref name=WHT-2017-05-01/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2017/08/10/hawaii-news/hele-on-bus-theft-suspect-self-reports-mental-health-issues/ |title=Hele-On bus theft suspect self-reports mental health issues |author=Burnett, John |date=August 10, 2017 |agency=Hawaii Tribune-Herald |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> In addition to Hilo, buses also are stored in Kailua-Kona and Ka{{okina}}ū to accommodate early-morning service into Hilo. A second base/maintenance facility is recommended to service routes on the north and west sides of the island, potentially near the police department on Hale Māka{{okina}}i off Highway 19.<ref name=MasterPlan/>{{rp|85–86}}

==See also== *[[TheBus (Honolulu)]] on [[Oʻahu|Oʻahu Island]] *[[The Kauaʻi Bus]] on [[Kauaʻi Island]] *[[Maui Bus]] on [[Maui Island]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov/ Official website] *[http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/mass-transit/ Mass Transit Agency, County of Hawaiʻi] *{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/kamaaina56/36751966176/ |title=Hilo Sampan Taxi Line 1951 |author=Bixler, William |website=flickr|date=January 1951 }} *{{cite web |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Hawaii_County_Mass_Transit_Agency |title=Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency |website=Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board Wiki}}

[[Category:Hawaii (island)]] [[Category:Hawaii County, Hawaii]] [[Category:Transportation in Hawaii County, Hawaii ]] [[Category:Bus transportation in Hawaii]] [[Category:Transit agencies in Hawaii]]