Waikiki Trolley Steps In After ANA Express Bus Ends — What Visitors and Commuters Need to Know

The sudden end of ANA Express Bus service on May 31 left thousands of Waikiki visitors scrambling for transportation options, but the Waikiki Trolley stepped in with an expanded route network that launched just one day later on June 1.

The new multi-route system covers major hotels, beaches, shopping centers, and downtown Honolulu, filling a critical gap left by the express bus that had connected visitors between Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and Waikiki hotels for years.

“When we learned about the ANA Express ending, we knew we had to act quickly,” said Mike Torres, general manager of Waikiki Trolley. “Our visitors depend on reliable transportation, and we couldn’t let them be stranded.”

New Routes Cover Tourist Hotspots

The expanded Waikiki Trolley service includes four distinct routes designed to serve both tourists and local commuters. The Pink Line connects major Waikiki hotels with Ala Moana Center and downtown Honolulu, while the Red Line focuses on beach access from Kapiolani Park to Sand Island State Recreation Area.

The Blue Line serves the shopping corridor from Royal Hawaiian Center to Ward Village, with stops at Aloha Tower Marketplace and Pier 1. A new Green Line was specifically added to address the gap left by ANA Express, providing service between Waikiki hotels and key transportation hubs.

Unlike the point-to-point ANA Express service, the trolley system operates on a hop-on, hop-off model that allows passengers to explore multiple destinations throughout the day. Trolleys run every 15-20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak times.

Impact on Local Workers

The transition affects more than just tourists. Many hospitality workers who live in Kalihi, Keeaumoku, and other neighborhoods west of Waikiki had relied on the ANA Express as an affordable commute option to their jobs along Kalakaua Avenue.

TheBus routes 19, 20, and 42 continue to serve these commuter needs, but the trolley’s new routes provide additional options for workers at luxury resorts and shopping centers who need to travel between different areas of Waikiki during their shifts.

The trolley system also connects with the Honolulu Rail Transit project’s planned stations, positioning it as a complementary service when rail service eventually reaches the Ala Moana area.

Pricing and Accessibility Changes

The trolley service operates on a different pricing structure than the former express bus. Day passes start at $25 for adults, with multi-day packages available for extended stays. Children under 11 ride free with paying adults.

This represents a cost increase from the ANA Express, which charged a flat $2.75 per ride. However, the hop-on, hop-off feature provides more flexibility for visitors planning to make multiple stops throughout the day.

All trolley vehicles are ADA-compliant and equipped with bike racks, addressing accessibility concerns that some visitors had raised about the previous express service.

Hotel Partnership Expansion

Several major Waikiki hotels have partnered with the trolley service to offer complimentary or discounted passes to guests. The Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, and Sheraton Waikiki have all announced guest benefit programs.

These partnerships help offset the higher individual ride costs while ensuring that visitors staying at partner properties maintain convenient transportation access to popular destinations like Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and the Polynesian Cultural Center via connecting services.

The trolley company is also working with local tour operators to integrate the service into existing sightseeing packages, creating bundled options for visitors who want both transportation and guided experiences.

Looking Forward

The transition from express bus to trolley service represents a shift toward more tourism-focused transportation in Waikiki, though questions remain about long-term affordability for local residents who previously relied on the express route.

Trolley operators plan to evaluate ridership data over the next six months to determine if additional routes or schedule adjustments are needed. The service will need to prove it can handle the estimated 30,000 daily passengers who previously used the ANA Express during peak tourist seasons.

For now, visitors and commuters have a functioning alternative that covers the same general area with more stops and flexibility. The real test will come during the busy summer tourist season when Waikiki’s transportation infrastructure faces its heaviest demand.