Hawaii Senate Bill SCR72

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Urging The Department Of Education To Develop A Comprehensive Plan For The Reinstatement Of Cancelled School Bus Service Routes.

Impact

The resolution addresses the critical shortage of school bus drivers, which has led to the complete or partial suspension of transportation services at multiple high schools in Oahu and Kauai during the 2023-2024 school year. The anticipated suspension of further routes across the state could severely limit accessibility to education for many students, thereby affecting their academic success and attendance rates. A well-developed plan would aim to mitigate these consequences and restore necessary transportation services prior to the commencement of the 2025 Regular Session.

Summary

SCR72 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced during the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii, urging the Department of Education to create a comprehensive plan for reinstating school bus service routes that have been cancelled. The resolution highlights the importance of school bus services for ensuring student attendance and emphasizes the role of these services in aiding families, particularly those in rural or low-income communities. With approximately twelve thousand student riders on Oahu and thirteen thousand on the neighbor islands relying on these services, the necessity for a viable transportation plan is evident.

Contention

SCR72 underscores the tension between logistical challenges and the educational needs of students. While there is a strong push to rectify the lack of transportation services, some may raise concerns about the feasibility of attracting and retaining enough qualified bus drivers in the current market. A detailed plan would need to not only address reinstating routes but also implementing strategies to combat the driver shortage in a sustainable manner.