EXPRESS FAQ
Who is eligible for a county bus pass through the Hawai‘i Department of Education bus pass pilot program?Hawai‘i public high school students in grades 9-12 with an active DOE ID number are eligible.
Students with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) who have transportation services included in their IEP as a related service, please visit the Hawai‘i DOE | Special Education website for more information.
Charter school students are not eligible to participate in the pilot program.
Can I apply for a county bus pass and a school bus pass?
The Hawai‘i Department of Education will supply one type of bus pass per student. If your student has a bus pass for the school bus, it will be deactivated upon receipt of the county bus pass. Students will be asked to exchange their school bus pass when they receive their county bus pass.
What if we already have a school bus pass?
Students in grades 9-12 who already have a school bus pass may still apply for the county bus pass. Students will be asked to return their school bus pass upon receipt of their county bus pass.
What if we already paid for a school bus pass?
If you already paid for a school bus pass and you want to switch to the county pass, you can request a refund here: bit.ly/STSB-refund
It is recommended that you wait to request the refund until you have received the county bus pass. Once refunds are issued, the school bus pass is deactivated.
What is the application process?
Applications will be available online at: iportal.k12.hi.us/express.
Step 1: Check the respective island transit office website for route information and Identify the bus route(s), times, and locations with your student.
Step 2: Fill out and submit the online application.
Step 3: Identify and practice safe walking routes to/from the bus stops at home and at the school. Refer to the public safety information here.
Step 4: Passes will be distributed to the schools as soon as possible. Have your student visit the school office to pick up their pass when prompted.
Is there a deadline to sign up for the pilot program?
The application deadline is March 20, 2023.
How do I find out what route and bus stop to use?
Please contact the island specific county transportation office customer service using the contact information provided below.
Kaua‘i
Website: www.kauai.gov/BusSchedules
Phone Number: 808-246-8110
Email: thekauaibus@kauai.gov
Rider Rules/Safety Information: https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Transportation-Agency/Carry-On-Items-Prohibited-Activities
O‘ahu
Website: www.holocard.net
Phone Numbers: 808-768-4656 (HOLO)
Email: info@holocard.net
Rider Rules/Safety Information: http://www.thebus.org/Nav_Menu_RideTheBus.asp
Maui
Website: https://www.mauicounty.gov/bus
Bus Tracking: https://mauibus.org/
Phone Number: 808-871-4838
Email: public.transit@mauicounty.gov
Rider Rules/Safety Information: https://www.mauicounty.gov/606/Bus-Rules
Hawai‘i Island
Website: www.heleonbus.org
Phone Number: 808-961-8744, Option 1
Email: heleonbus@Hawai‘icounty.gov
Rider Rules/Safety Information: http://www.heleonbus.org/how-to-ride-hele-on
On O‘ahu, what if my child(ren) already has a Holo Card?
The student passes that the Department is distributing are separate from the Holo Cards, but will function the same as the Holo Card on TheBus. If your student already has a DOE issued Holo Card, you have 2 options:
- Keep the Holo Card and continue to use throughout the school year or
Apply for the student pass via the EXPRESS application. If you apply for the student pass, the Holo Card will be deactivated.
How long are the passes good for?
Passes will be valid through July 31, 2023.
Will the Department of Education reimburse families for city and county bus passes already purchased?
No
How many rides does the city and county bus pass include?
The monthly passes include unlimited rides per month.
How will the bus passes be distributed?
It depends on the island you live on:
Kaua‘i - Bus passes will be distributed as they become available by the county public transit office and will be distributed to the school(s) prior to the 1st of the following month.
O‘ahu - 1 x Student Bus Pass will be distributed per student. The bus pass will be preloaded with funds to allow students unlimited rides from November 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023.
Maui - Monthly passes will be distributed as they become available by the county public transit office and will be distributed to the school(s) prior to the 1st of the following month.
Hawai‘i Island - Monthly passes will be distributed as they become available by the county public transit office and will be distributed to the school(s) prior to the 1st of the following month. Please note that public transit service, Hele-On, is already a free fare service that can be utilized at any time without a HIDOE issued pass.
What if my county bus pass is lost, stolen or damaged?
Notify the school office right away if your county bus pass is lost, stolen or damaged. A replacement bus pass will be issued within 7-10 days and families will need to plan accordingly. There is a $5 replacement fee. The fee must be paid to the school in cash.
Due to the increasingly high volume of lost pass requests, STSB will only accept replacement requests until May 1, 2023. This is to ensure students will receive their replacement cards before the end of the school year.
Can the city and county bus pass be utilized for ADA and/or Paratransit services?
City and County bus passes for ADA and Paratransit services are not included in this program. Please visit the Hawai‘i DOE | Special Education website for more information on transportation options.
Are school bus passes also free?
The eligibility requirements for a free school bus pass have not changed. Please refer to the school bus application handbook for more information.
Can I go to the county transportation office to pick up my student’s pass?
No, the bus passes will be distributed to the school office who will distribute them to the students.
What if we applied for a county bus pass and then change our minds?
If you apply for a county bus pass and then change your mind, you will need to reapply for a school bus pass. Please note that you will be put on a waitlist if there is no space on the bus.
