Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS) would operate and maintain the city’s rail line, instead of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART), under a plan that Oahu voters might be asked to approve this fall.
The Honolulu Charter Commission's four-member Transportation Permitted Interaction Group, chaired by commission member Kevin Mulligan, said in its seven- page report released Monday that all municipal transportation systems -- TheBus, HandiVan and rail -- should all fall under the DTS' authority.
DTS, which is led by a director appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Council, now oversees all bus and HandiVan operations while HART makes all decisions involving the now $8 billion rail project. The cost of the rail project is twice the projected amount that was set in 2008, and the new finish date is 2024, two years later than originally anticipated.
The report used strong language in arguing that placing all transit operations in the hands of DTS would make them more accountable since that agency answers to the managing director, the mayor, the City Council and, ultimately, voters.
"The rail project requires additional oversight, along with a commitment to openness, new ideas and real accountability," the report stated.
Under the proposal, HART would still oversee construction for the project.
The commission has until Aug. 22 to submit Charter amendment proposals to the city clerk in order for them to be placed on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
