Relating To Public Transportation.
The bill introduces amendments to Chapter 51 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, requiring counties to conduct assessments on how additional fare revenue might be obtained without resorting to fare increases. If a county deems it necessary to increase fares after seeking alternative funding, it must submit a justification report to the Department of Transportation. This report will include the nature of the proposed fare adjustment and the efforts made to seek alternative sources of revenue.
Senate Bill 616 addresses the need for funding to operate and maintain county mass transit systems in Hawaii. Historically, counties have resorted to increasing rider fares as a primary means of generating revenue. However, with an understanding of the financial burden these fare increases can impose on riders, this bill emphasizes that fare hikes should be a last resort. It aims to require counties to explore alternative revenue sources, particularly transit-based advertising, before implementing any new fare changes or increases.
In summary, SB616 seeks to balance the need for sustainable revenue for public transportation with the financial realities faced by riders. While it promotes innovative funding methods through advertising revenue, it also establishes transparency and accountability processes for fare increases, thereby attempting to safeguard the interests of the community and ensure effective management of the transit systems.
One notable aspect of SB616 is the regulatory framework it sets for transit-based advertisements. Counties will need to ensure that they seek fair market compensation for displaying paid advertisements on transit vehicles and at transit stops while maintaining the ability to impose restrictions regarding the content of those advertisements. The bill allows certain types of advertisements to be prohibited, ensuring they do not promote illegal or immoral activities, and addresses concerns regarding advertising that could be offensive or deemed inappropriate.