Report Title:

Big Island Shared-Ride Taxi Program

Description:

Appropriates $100,000 to Hawaii county for the Big Island shared-ride taxi program.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2283

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the big island's shared-ride taxi program.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that buses run infrequently in many rural areas on the Big Island where there is a demand for bus service but an insufficient number of persons to justify provision of bus service. Many residents of the Big Island, especially elders, are affected. In response, the Big Island's shared-ride taxi program allows for participating taxi companies to provide rides for multiple riders with different destinations whereas non-participating taxi companies are required to alight all passengers at one single destination.

This program provides low-cost daily transportation for many people who need to attend doctor appointments, shop, visit family or friends, and enables Big Island residents, especially seniors, to conduct independent, normal lives. Payment for taxi services is made via coupons tied to distance traveled. This program also allows the county of Hawaii to avoid the large expense of purchasing additional buses to run at less than capacity to serve many rural areas.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, to the county of Hawaii to fund its Big Island shared-ride taxi program; provided that no funds shall be expended unless matched on a 4:1 ratio by federal matching funds for this program.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:

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