If the bus program is transferred, the Department of Education also may curtail ridership eligibility, Knudsen said. Currently, students must live at least a mile from their local school to be eligible for student transportation. That distance could be increased for secondary-school students. School board member Keith Sakata said if the department believes it is necessary to raise fares, he likely would support it. Sakata said he hopes the department will continue to provide subsidies for families in financial need.
Students can ride for free if their families fall below a certain income level.
Any fare increases must go through public hearings. Other programs Cayetano wants transferred to DOE are occupational and physical-therapist services and night security. The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co .