TheBus Ridership Hits Post-Pandemic High as New Express Routes Draw Commuters

Oahu’s public transit system recorded 78.3 million boardings in the 12 months ending March 2026 — the highest annual ridership since before the pandemic and a 14 percent increase over the prior year, according to new figures from the Department of Transportation Services.

Officials attribute the rebound to a suite of express routes launched last fall connecting suburban neighborhoods directly to major employment centers without the transfers that long frustrated riders. The Route E Express from Kapolei to downtown Honolulu, which runs nonstop along the H-1 HOV lane, has been the standout performer, averaging 4,800 daily riders — roughly double initial projections.

“People told us for years: make it faster and we’ll ride,” said DTS Director Roger Morton. “The express routes finally delivered on that promise.”

The agency also credited the $3 flat fare introduced in January, replacing a distance-based system that could cost up to $5.50 for cross-island trips. The simplified pricing eliminated confusion and made budgeting easier for lower-income riders, Morton said.

Despite the gains, TheBus still carries only about 85 percent of its pre-2020 ridership. The remaining gap is concentrated on routes serving office-heavy corridors where remote work has permanently reduced commute demand.

Looking ahead, DTS plans to add three more express routes by September, connecting Mililani, Hawaii Kai, and the North Shore to the Ala Moana Transit Center, which will eventually link to the Skyline rail system.