Kaua‘i’s first battery-electric buses will hit the road Monday as the county launches new express routes connecting Anahola and Waimea, cutting travel times and expanding public transportation access across the island.
The Kaua‘i Bus will begin operating the new 900 and 950 routes on Jan. 5, providing weekday service between Anahola and the Waimea Athletic Field, with stops at key destinations including Līhu‘e Airport in both directions.
The launch marks the first time battery-electric buses will be used in Kaua‘i’s public transit system. The four buses were purchased through a combination of federal and local funding, including support from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program.
The Kaua‘i Transportation Agency told Aloha State Daily that each of the four electric buses cost $1.2 million, for a total investment of $4.8 million.
“We are excited to introduce the new 900/950 routes and highlight our commitment to a cleaner, greener Kaua‘i,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a statement. “The addition of electric buses represents a meaningful investment in sustainable infrastructure and the health and well-being of our island community.”
According to the agency, Route 900 will depart Anahola beginning at 5:20 a.m. and operate every four hours through 5:20 p.m., with the final stop at the Waimea Athletic Field at 6:50 p.m. Route 950 will run in the opposite direction, departing the Waimea Athletic Field starting at 7:10 a.m. and operating every four hours through 7:10 p.m., arriving in Anahola at 8:41 p.m. Both routes will operate Monday through Friday.
Transportation officials said the new routes are designed as more direct, express-style service with selected stops, improving frequency and reliability along the Anahola–Waimea corridor compared with existing bus service.
The agency said the routes are expected to reduce travel time by approximately 30 minutes for riders traveling between Anahola and Waimea. Key stops will serve areas near high schools, Līhu‘e Airport and major transit hubs such as Kapa‘a Skate Park and Kukui Grove, allowing riders to transfer to other bus lines.
For more information about the new routes, riders can contact The Kaua‘i Bus at 808-246-8110 or email TheKauaiBus@kauai.gov.
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