REPORT TITLE:
Fixed Rail System


DESCRIPTION:
Requires the department of transportation to study the
possibility of establishing a fixed rail mass transit system in
the busiest transportation areas of Oahu with private sector
funding and federal sponsorship.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                            732         
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO A FIXED RAIL SYSTEM.



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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the issue of the need
 
 2 for a fixed rail system for Honolulu needs to be revisited.
 
 3      Honolulu's growing traffic congestion and the desirability
 
 4 of expanding the visitor industry to other areas of Oahu in
 
 5 addition to Waikiki make a fixed rail mass transit system an
 
 6 appealing alternative to the existing traffic gridlock
 
 7 encountered daily by Honolulu's drivers.
 
 8      While these systems have proven to be efficient, reliable,
 
 9 and successful in other urban areas, however, it is unclear what
 
10 type of system would be best for Oahu and how successful such a
 
11 system would be.  Many question the need for such a system at
 
12 all, fearing that many motorists would not abandon their cars to
 
13 use such a system, that it may damage Oahu's fragile environment,
 
14 be too noisy, or ruin scenic vistas, or that its cost may be
 
15 prohibitive.
 
16      However, the technologies for developing and maintaining a
 
17 fixed rail system have evolved significantly over the last
 
18 several years, making the issue worth studying again.  Fixed rail
 
19 has become an increasingly quiet, accessible, and reliable
 

 
Page 2                                         732         
                                     H.B. NO.           
                                                        
                                                        


 1 transportation system in many cities.  Some private companies may
 
 2 also be willing to provide funding for all or a major portion of
 
 3 the construction of the system.
 
 4      The purpose of this Act is to require the department of
 
 5 transportation to review the possibility of developing a fixed
 
 6 rail system on Oahu.
 
 7      SECTION 2.  The department of transportation shall study the
 
 8 possibility of establishing a fixed rail mass transit system in
 
 9 the busiest transportation areas of Oahu with private sector
 
10 funding and federal sponsorship.  In conducting the study, the
 
11 department shall:
 
12      (1)  Work with appropriate officials of the city and county
 
13           of Honolulu and private industry to determine the level
 
14           of interest in building a fixed rail system and
 
15           determine appropriate routes for the system;
 
16      (2)  Assess the feasibility of planning, developing,
 
17           constructing, operating, and maintaining such a fixed
 
18           rail system;
 
19      (3)  If the department determines that such a system is
 
20           feasible, specify the type of fixed rail system that
 
21           would be most appropriate for Oahu, including system
 
22           criteria;
 
23      (4)  Identify the percentage of Oahu's drivers who are
 

 
Page 3                                         732         
                                     H.B. NO.           
                                                        
                                                        


 1           reasonably anticipated to convert from using personal
 
 2           vehicles during peak rush hour periods in favor of
 
 3           using such a system, and determine the potential
 
 4           disposition of revenues derived from the use of the
 
 5           system; and
 
 6      (5)  Submit its findings and recommendations, including any
 
 7           necessary implementing legislation, to the legislature
 
 8           no later than twenty days before the convening of the
 
 9           regular session of 2000.
 
10      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
11 
 
12                              INTRODUCED BY:______________________