Honolulu transit riders will pay more starting July 1 after the City Council on Wednesday approved a major overhaul of fares for TheBus, TheHandi-Van and Skyline.
The changes are expected to generate about $4 million in additional revenue for Oʻahu’s public transit system, which faces rising operating costs that could push its budget toward $470 million over the next two years.
The Council voted 6–3 to adopt Bill 54, legislation introduced by Council Chair Tommy Waters by request, updating the city’s public transit fare schedule under Chapter 15B of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu. Councilmembers Radiant Cordero, Matt Weyer and Tyler Dos Santos-Tam voted against the measure.
Under the new rates, adult riders paying cash will see the single-ride fare rise from $3 to $3.25. Riders using a city payment card will also pay $3.25, while the daily fare cap will remain $7.50. Monthly adult passes will increase from $80 to $90, and annual passes from $880 to $990, a 12.5% increase for both. Seven-day adult passes will rise from $35 to $45, a 28.5% increase.
Youth fares will also increase. Monthly youth passes will rise from $40 to $45, while annual youth passes will increase from $440 to $495.
Senior fares will also go up, with the annual pass increasing from $45 to $50, an 11% increase. Reduced fares will remain available to Hawaiʻi residents who are seniors, people with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, paratransit eligibility ID holders and individuals with extremely low incomes. Reduced fares include single-ride fares of $1.50 for cash payments and $1.25 for payment card users, a two-hour pass for $1.25, a 24-hour pass for $3, monthly passes for $20 and annual passes for $45.
Paratransit riders using TheHandi-Van will pay $2.50 for a one-way trip, up from $2.25.
The ordinance also establishes a new reduced-fare program for individuals with extremely low incomes. Eligible riders will receive a city payment card programmed with discounted fares, with eligibility determined by the Department of Community Services under guidelines outlined in the legislation.
The bill allows the city’s transportation services director to set special fares for large events, including concerts, conventions and sporting events, when non-scheduled transit service is provided, as well as for travel to and from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Weyer, District 2 Councilman, representing Haleʻiwa, Wahiawā and other parts of North and Central Oʻahu, told Aloha State Daily he voted against the measure because fare increases place a financial burden on residents who rely on public transit for daily needs, noting that more than half of bus riders do not own a car. He also raised concerns about reduced ridership resulting from higher fares.
“Public transportation is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Weyer said.
Dos Santos-Tam, District 6 Councilman, representing Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown and other urban neighborhoods, told ASD the increase runs counter to the Council’s stated focus on affordability, particularly for residents with lower incomes. As a regular bus rider, he said he frequently hears from riders struggling with rising everyday costs.
“The City Council should be focused on bringing down the cost of living, not making daily life more expensive for residents,” Dos Santos-Tam said.
Dos Santos-Tam cited data showing ASD that about 70% of Honolulu bus riders live in households earning under $60,000 annually, with roughly 20% earning less than $21,000. Even modest fare increases, he said, can force families to cut back on essentials such as food, rent or medical care.
Dos Santos-Tam said he introduced a floor draft to block the fare increase, but it failed to gain enough support from the Council. Weyer said he plans to continue working with the Department of Transportation Services to explore expanded reduced-fare or zero-fare programs.
The Department of Transportation Services said the fare increases are necessary to maintain service amid rising costs. Operating expenses are expected to increase by about $11 million this year and another $11 million next year, pushing the transit budget toward $470 million, while total revenues are projected at about $44 million. The $4 million expected from the fare changes would help offset the gap (read ASD’s deep dive comparing Honolulu’s transit operating costs with those of Mainland systems here).
Council staff said Bill 54 will now be transmitted to Mayor Rick Blangiardi for his signature. Scott Humber, the mayor’s communications director, told ASD the measure is expected to be in the mayor’s office by Wednesday. Once received, the mayor will have until Feb. 12 to sign.
Bill 54 was introduced July 22, 2025. All approved fare changes take effect later this year.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
