is extended to Downtown and AlaMoana Center. At that time, therewilllikelybemassiverestructuringofbusroutes.Afterallthedustsettles,it looks likeTheBuswillhave justasmanyemployeesastodayandprobablymore. Moreservicewillbeaddedtotheisland-widesystemwithmanywest-sideroutesconvertedtofeederbuslinesthatwilltakepassengerstorailstations.Atnight,whenrailisnotrunning,it’slikelythatsomebusrouteswillcontinuetoprovide24-hourservice.

One important change is that OTS,DTS,andHARTarestudyingwhatthefuturefaresystemwill look like.Ourpresentsystemwithcash,paperflashpasses,andpapertransfersmaybea thingof thepast. Instead,wearestudying how a smart card systemmight allow us to finally solve theproblemsassociatedwithourcurrent1950’sstylesystemandspeedingup

Operators ofThe Quarters

J. Roger MortonPresident and General Manager

Operators Jerry Calpito (top left), Ramon Anagaran (top right), Marc Behic (bottom) share the spotlight. Read more

about them on pages 11 and 13.

Transit Transfers Pg. 2

Paratransit Operator Georgette Chun Honored Pg. 3

Retiree Corner Pg. 4

New Ohana Pg. 7

Holiday Bash 2013 Pg. 9

Bus Operator Glen Nakamura Honored by HPD Pg. 10

Operators of the Quarters Pg. 11

Paratransit Master Operator of the Year Pg. 13

Look Inside!

Oahu Transit Services, Inc. Newsletter Volume XXII, Number 1 Summer 2014

Bynow,anyonewhohasdrivenwestofAlohaStadiumcan’thelpbutnoticethequickpaceofconstructionof theHonoluluRailTransitsystemasitedgesitsway toDowntownandon toAlaMoanaCenter.IthoughtitwasagoodtimetogiveyouanupdateanddiscusshowthisnewsystemmightimpactusatTheBus.

Railwillbeconstructedintwophases.ThefirstphasewillstretchfromEastKapoleibytheKrocCenter toAlohaStadium.Thatsectionisslatedtoopenaroundthemiddleof2017—justthreeshortyearsaway.ThesecondphasewillextendthesystemtotheAirport,Kalihi,Downtown,andAlaMoanaCenter.

In 2017, some bus routes will beadjustedtoaccommodaterail,but itdoesnot look like therewillbemuchimpactatthattime.Currently,plannersfromOTS,DTS,andHARTaremeetinganddevisingdetailedplans. Thebigchangewillcomein2019whenrail

It’s Coming!

Continued on page 11

‘

2

Transit TransfersTransit TransfersTransit TransfersJoseph Gouveia-Chong, Vault PullerTechnician,waspromotedon11/1/2013.JosephwaspreviouslyaServiceAttendantandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since3/21/2000.

Chaz Rountree, Paratransit Dispatcher,waspromotedon11/7/2013.ChazwaspreviouslyaParatransitReservationistandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since5/10/2010.

Curtis Kanno, Sr.CountingRoomClerk,waspromotedon12/1/12013.CurtiswaspreviouslyaCountingRoomClerkIIandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since11/1/1989.

Bronson Napaepae, Dispatcher, waspromotedon12/1/2013. BronsonwaspreviouslyaBusOperatorandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since9/11/2004.

Lisa Makuakane, Central RadioController,waspromotedon2/16/2014.Lisa was previously a Bus Operatorand has been with OTS, Inc., since12/7/2002.

Spencer Louie, Lead Mechanic, waspromotedon2/18/2014. SpencerwaspreviouslyaHEM-RunningRepairandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since5/3/1999.

Christopher Chang , HEM-RunningRepair,waspromotedon3/1/2014.ChristopherwaspreviouslyaMechanicHelperandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since11/22/2005.

Brent Sarria, Manager,Facilities&PlantMaintenance,waspromotedon3/17/2014.BrentwaspreviouslyMaintenanceSupportSystemManagerandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since10/7/2009.

Kaimiokekai Andrade Meyers, HEM -RunningRepair,waspromotedon3/1/2014.KaimiokekaiwaspreviouslyaTemporaryServiceAssistantandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since11/1/2013.

Darwin Kaneaiakala, LeadMechanic,waspromoted on 2/21/2014. Darwin waspreviouslyaHEM-Lube48KInspectionandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since10/16/1992.

Vance Bernades, Road Supervisor,waspromotedon3/1/2014.VancewaspreviouslyaBusOperatorandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since1/24/2004.

Steven Tsutahara, LeadMechanic,waspromoted on 5/7/2014. Steven waspreviouslyHEM-RunningRepairandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since4/3/1989.

Eugene Oyadomari, SuperintedentofShops,waspromotedon3/1/2014.EugenewaspreviouslyAsst.Supt.ofMaintenance-KalihiDivisionandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since6/16/1980.

Lemuel Ababa, Mechanic Helper, waspromoted on 5/1/2014. Lemuel waspreviouslyaServiceAttendantandhasbeenwithOTS,Inc.,since11/1/2013.

3

Paratransit Operator Georgette Chun Honored by City & County of Honolulu

Photoabove:Michael D. Formby, Director,DepartmentofTransportationServices;

Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Georgette Chun.

OnJune9,2014,HonoluluMayorKirkCaldwellhonoredTheHandi-VanoperatorGeorgetteMahealaniChunwithaproclamationforheractofheroism.

OnMay25,GeorgetteChunwasonherdailyroutealongMiddleStreetwithtwopassengersonboard,OfelioMarcelloLopezandhiswife,Mayra,whousesawheelchair,whenChunsmelledsmokecomingfromthevan.

Chunpulledovertothesideoftheroadwhereshesafelyescortedherpassengersoutandawayfromthevan.

Withinminutes, thevanwasconsumed infire.“This isarealheroinactionputtingherlifeonthelinetohelpthoseshe’sserving,”Caldwellsaid.CaldwellrecognizedChunnotonlyforherheroismbutalsoforherhumilitysaying,“YousetagoodgoalforallofustorememberthegoodworktheHandi-Vandoeseverydayanditisrepresentedinyouandinyouractions.”

Chunsaidanyofherco-workerswouldhavedonethesame.

Tofurtherrecognizeheractions,themayordeclaredJune9GeorgetteMahealaniChunDay.

Congratulations Georgette!Photoabove:Paratransit Operator Georgette Chun.

Photoabove:J. Roger Morton, PresidentandGeneralManager,OahuTransitServices,Inc., Georgette Chun.

4

Rodney TheodoreBusOperator,

retiredon11/1/2013.Theodorehad

21yearsofservice.

Janet Dudoit,BusOperator,

retiredon11/1/2013.Dudoithad

39yearsofservice.

Larry Oshiro,HEM-MajorRepair,

retiredon12/1/2013.Oshirohad

33yearsofservice.

Gordon Lau,BusOperator,

retiredon12/16/2013.Lauhad

16yearsofservice.

Joseph Ganigan,2ndClassVaultPuller,

retiredon1/1/2014.Ganiganhad

42yearsofservice.

Joseph Engle,MechanicHelper,

retiredon2/1/2014.Englehad32years

ofservice.

Edward Holu,BusOperator,retiredon

2/1/2014.Holuhad

19yearsofservice.

Hattie Ching,ParatransitDispatcher,

retiredon3/1/2014.Chinghad

22yearsofservice.

Retiree CornerBrian McBean,

BusOperator,retiredon3/16/2014.

McBeanhad24yearsofservice.

John Toilolo,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Toilolohad

18yearsofservice.

Barry Yoza,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Yozahad

24yearsofservice.

Howard Barona,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Baronahad

26yearsofservice.

Lawrence Akina,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Akinahad

33yearsofservice.

Leti Tootoo,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Tootoohad

30yearsofservice.

Victor Omalza,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Omalzahad

35yearsofservice.

Bryon Endo,HEM-AirConditionretiredon4/1/2014.

Endohad35yearsofservice.

Steven Ohelo,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Ohelohad

38yearsofservice.

Tenitala Purcell,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Purcellhad

36yearsofservice.

Nicholas Lopez,LeadMechanic,

retiredon4/1/2014.Lopezhad

41yearsofservice.

Robert Chambrella,MaterialsManager,

retiredon4/1/2014.Chambrellahad

41yearsofservice.

Bernard Soares-Teves,HEM-RunningRepair,

retiredon4/1/2014.Soares-Teveshad

40yearsofservice.

Nathan Ioane,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Ioanehad

38yearsofservice.

William Higa,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Higahad

40yearsofservice.

Gaylen Paio,ParatransitOperator,retiredon4/1/2014.

Paiohad22yearsofservice.

w

Winona Mae Konohia,ParatransitOperator,retiredon4/1/2014.

Konohiahad22yearsofservice.

Hamilton Brown,BusOperator,

retiredon4/1/2014.Brownhad

9yearsofservice.

Warren Mitsunaga,Asst.Supt.,

Maint.-KalihiDivison,retiredon5/1/2014.

Mistunagahad39yearsofservice.

Howard Nakai,MechanicHelper,

retiredon5/1/2014.Nakaihad

31yearsofservice.

Libert Chung,ServiceAttendant,

retiredon5/1/2014.Chunghad

17yearsofservice.

Calvin Fukushima,JourneymanTrades,retiredon5/1/2014.

Fukushimahad18yearsofservice.

5

SPONSORS &VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

PRIZEDONATIONS ACCEPTED

NOV. 21 - 23

Call KALANI LUM @ ph. 259-1998 APPLICATIONS & RULES ARE ATTHE DISPATCH OFFICES

Wanda Ko,ParatransitOperator,retiredon4/1/2014.

Kohad22yearsofservice

6

Bus Operator Class 195

Photoabove(left to right):1stRow:Tony Williams, Joel Manuel, Jessica Wong, Matthew Andrin, Christopher Kam.

2ndRow: James Mueller, Glenn Lewellyn, Matthew Kaleikini, Dean Pestano.

Graduated May 3, 2014Bus Operator Class 194

Photoabove(left to right):1stRow: Lance Sylva, David Beaume, Jason Delvalle. 2ndRow:Earvin Tataipu, Grant Cenal, Ken Anama,

Alesia Carvalho, Isaiah Cobb-Adams, Isha York, David Indradat, Randall Silva. 3rdRow: Paul Young, Liza Gecain, Brandon Bagayas,

Richard Abad, Jason Kaku, Anthony Brown.

Graduated December 13, 2013

Paratransit Class 45

Photoleft(left to right):Jensen Uyehara, Terence Orion, Keith Sasano, Walter McKeague, Kawehi Doo, David Wegner,

Craig Murata.

Graduated June 13, 2014

Robert Yu, President, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii

Photoabove(left to right):Betty Hoang Brow, Robert Yu, Sr.VicePresident&DeputyGeneralManger,OahuTransitServices,Inc.;

Brittany Wei Lin Lee,2014NarcissusQueen;Eddie Flores, President-Elect.

OnMay29,2014,Sr.VicePresidentandDeputyGeneralManager,RobertYu,wasinstalledasPresidentoftheChineseChamberofCommerceofHawaiifor2014-2015,succeedingpresidentBettyHoangBrow.

TheChineseChamberofCommerceofHawaiiwasestablishedin1911,knownatthetimeastheChineseMerchants’Associationuntilbeingrenamedin1926.

ThemissionoftheChineseChamberofCommerceofHawaiiistopromotebusinessandeconomicdevelopmentwithfocusonChinaandSoutheastAsia,topreserveChineseculture,andtoencouragecivicresponsibility.

Congratulations, Robert!

New OTS ‘OhanaNew OTS ‘Ohana

7

LEMUEL ABABA Mechanic Helper 11/01/13KAIMIOKEKAI ANDRADE MEYERS HEM - Running Repair 11/01/13GLENN IDA Service Attendant 11/01/13DANIEL MCDONALD Paratransit Fueler/Cleaner 11/21/13KAHEKILI KALALAU Service Attendant 12/02/13MARLEY MAKANANI Entry Information Clerk 12/10/13RICHARD ABAD Bus Operator 12/14/13KEN ANAMA Bus Operator 12/14/13BRANDON BAGAYAS Bus Operator 12/14/13ANTHONY BROWN Bus Operator 12/14/13ALESIA CARVALHO Bus Operator 12/14/13GRANT CENAL Bus Operator 12/14/13ISAIAH COBB-ADAMS Bus Operator 12/14/13JASON DELVALLE Bus Operator 12/14/13LIZA GECAIN Bus Operator 12/14/13DAVID INDRADAT Bus Operator 12/14/13JASON KAKU Bus Operator 12/14/13DAVID REAUME Bus Operator 12/14/13RANDALL SILVA Bus Operator 12/14/13LANCE SYLVA Bus Operator 12/14/13EARVIN TATAIPU Bus Operator 12/14/13ISHA YORK Bus Operator 12/14/13PAUL YOUNG Bus Operator 12/14/13TRAVIS KANAE-RODRIGUES Service Attendant 12/26/13ANGELA LO Civil Rights Compliance Officer 01/02/14RAYNALYN DAYTON Paratransit Reservationist 01/02/14JASON KAM HEM - Running Repair 01/13/14HILLIARD OWEN HEM - Running Repair 01/13/14MIKE RIVERA HEM - Running Repair 01/13/14HOLOHUA KALAHIKI Entry Bus Pass Clerk 02/03/14STEVE MACARAEG HEM - Lube/48K Inspection 02/03/14MARK PASCUA HEM - Tire Repair 02/10/14LAI LAMB Software Engineer I 02/18/14LEAH CHRISTIA CALIXTO Manager of Service Delivery, Paratransit Services 03/03/14OLIVER TAOY Paratransit Mechanic 03/03/14JOSEPH KALIMA Paratransit Fueler/Cleaner 03/17/14JASON DIAS HEM - Running Repair 03/17/14STEPHEN ADAMS HEM - Radio Tech/Electrician 03/18/14SI NAE MAKANANI Entry Purchasing Clerk 03/20/14DAVID KALIMA HEM - Running Repair 04/01/14NATHAN ROLDAN HEM - Running Repair 04/01/14JAYMEE DUNAHUGH Temporary Paratransit Reservationist 04/21/14ADAM TAMAYOSHI Staff Engineer 04/21/14ASHLEY TORRES Temporary Paratransit Reservationist 04/28/14EMILIANO MACALIPIS Paratransit Mechanic 05/01/14JASON LEE HEM - Running Repair 05/01/14MATTHEW ANDRIN Bus Operator 05/03/14MATTHEW KALEIKINI Bus Operator 05/03/14CHRISTOPHER KAM Bus Operator 05/03/14GLENN LEWELLYN Bus Operator 05/03/14JOEL MANUEL Bus Operator 05/03/14JAMES MUELLER Bus Operator 05/03/14DEAN PESTANO Bus Operator 05/03/14TONY WILLIAMS Bus Operator 05/03/14JESSICA WONG Bus Operator 05/03/14

Employee Title Date of Hire

Robert Yu, President, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii

8

Tosimatagi MolitaupassedawayonFebruary3,2014.Mr.MolitauwasemployedwithOTS,Inc.,onOctober1,1994.HeretiredonNovember1,2005,asaBusOperatorwithmorethan11yearsofdedicatedservice.

Benny PaclibpassedawayonMarch6,2014. Mr.PaclibwasemployedwithMTL,Inc.,onDecember13,1974. HeretiredonOctober 1, 2005, as a Bus Operator with 31 years ofdedicatedservice.

Dianne KaniaupiopassedawayonMarch14,2014.Ms.KaniaupiowasemployedwithMTL,Inc.,onDecember1,1975.SheretiredonJuly 1, 2008, as a Distribution Clerk III with 33 years ofdedicatedservice.

David AlvarezpassedawayonMarch22,2014.Mr.AlvarezwasemployedwithHRTCo.,Inc.,onOctober10,1952.HeretiredonSeptember 1, 1994, as a Bus Operator with 42 years ofdedicatedservice.

Scott E. Garnaas passedawayonJune4,2014.Mr.GarnaaswasemployedwithOTS, Inc.,onJune19,2004 .HeretiredonSeptember1,2011asaBusOperatorwith7yearsofdedicatedservice.

In Memory of. . . Gabriel Nauahi passedawayonNovember18,2013.Mr.NauahiwasemployedwithOTS,Inc.,onOctober27,1995.Atthetimeofhispassing,GabrielwasaParatransitOperatorwith18yearsofdedicatedservice.

Herman SmithpassedawayonNovember27,2013. Mr.SmithwasemployedwithMTL,Inc.,onAugust22,1973.HeretiredonDecember1,2008,asaRoadSupervisorwithmorethan35yearsofdedicatedservice.

Paul OnomurapassedawayonDecember29,2013.Mr.OnomurawasemployedwithMTL, Inc.,onApril1,1980.He retiredonApril 1, 1984, as Superintendent of Shops with 4 years ofdedicatedservice.

Charles NakaimapassedawayonJanuary13,2014.Mr.NakaimawasemployedwithHRTCo.,Ltd.,onMarch23,1956.HeretiredonOctober1,2006,asaBusOperatorwithmore than50yearsofdedicatedservice.

Edward KekoapassedawayonJanuary31,2014.Mr.Kekoawasemployed with OTS, Inc., on August 11, 2001. He retired onJune1,2010,asaBusOperatorwith9yearsofdedicatedservice.

TheBus Roadeo Kalihi Facility

9

Holiday Bash December 12, 2013 Kalihi Facility

Pearl City Facility

November 2013 November 2013ChrisHew-Len ChrisCargoDebraImport EdwardKamaJr.JamesPedro IanLoyd

December 2013 December 2013SangWoongChoe JerryCalpitoReubenLauronal AlanGotoSamuelYanos MichaelShimotsu

January 2014 January 2014EdwardNakamura EloyBirtodasoJr.RolandoRamos MariaIoaneVanceVidinha WadeRodrigues

February 2014 February 2014RobertHumel VanceGalapiaDanielKatsura ReupenaOmeliDarrylValdez UilaniSouza

March 2014 March 2014LorenzoHood SheilaBingMilesNunies JacquelineKekahunaEricsonVillaver FrederickLiva

April 2014 April 2014JerryGuerrero ShirleyDavisWendallLee BernardMattosJr.BrianTaylor HeleneSilva

May 2014 May 2014JasonAmuro SusanBegaCandyLuna BillTakeuchiGuyYonehiro CharlesTanabe

June 2014 June 2014SpencerBaldomero LesterBeranoMarcBehic ApaulaSefikaDavidKilborn FredTauvela

Bus Operators Of The Month KALIHI DIVISION PEARL CITY DIVISION

10

November 2013 YearsDonaldChang 37EthanKahoano 33HerbertTitcomb 29

December 2013 YearsTerryCaberto 28PaulColeman 21EdwinDelaRosa 22IameliKaio 28DavidKeaweehu 32NormanKukona 20DouglasPerry 20SitalaTogiai 24

January 2014 YearsLisaDistajo 20

February 2014 YearsWilliamTaguado 23DerrickTanaka 31GeorgeWong 25

Operator Safety Awards March 2014 YearsHowardBarona 25SusanBega 25EdwardKamaJr. 24JamesLucena 22KeithSouza 30RobertVierra 29

April 2014 YearsAdamLalau 22DavidPaakaula 28JamesReis 33PamelaSelf 20RobertShinsato 20

May 2014 YearsJasonHoshida 23

Bus Operator Glen Nakamura Honored by Honolulu Police Department OnJune25,2014,KalihibusoperatorGlenNakamurawashonoredbyHPDwithaCivilianCertificateofMeritatHPD’s2014FirstQuarterAwardsceremonyatMissionMemorialAuditorium.

On February 25, 2014, Glen wasoperatingTheBusonKuhioAvenueandobservedachildquicklywalkingonthesidewalkwithoutaparentorguardianin sight. Glen pulled TheBus over,approachedthechildandimmediatelyalertedanofficer. BecauseofGlen’squick actions, the child was safelyreunitedwithhisparents.

Mahalo and Congratulations, Glen Nakamura! Photoabove:Group photo with Team OTS, Jeany Nakamura, Glen Nakamura,

Chief Louis M. Kealoha, Deputy Chief Marie A. McCauley, and OTS President & General Manager J. Roger Morton.

boardingprocess.Fromabusoperator’sperspective,asmartcardsystemsimplygivesagreenlight-redlightindicationofwhetheraparticularboardingpassenger’scardisvalidornot.Fromthepassenger’sperspective,asmartcardsystemallowsconvenientandseamlesstravelbetweenbusesandbetweenbusandrail.Andfrommanagement’sperspective,itshouldallowustoavoidsomecurrentfareevasionandincreaserevenuesfrompassengers.

Theconfigurationofourbusesmaychangeslightly,andtherewillbemanymoreshortrouteswhichshouldhelpusstay

on-timemorethantoday.SinceHARTwillgototheairportandacceptluggage,wewillneedtoreviewourpolicy.Mostpassengerswith luggagewillbeheadedtoWaikikisotheconnectionbetweenAlaMoanaandWaikikiwillbecritical.Ifwetakecareofthevisitorluggageissue,wewillprobablyhavetolookatourIsland-widepolicyforluggage.

RailwillbeahugechangeforOahuandwillhavea largeimpactonTheBus.Ibelieveitwillbeapositivechangefortheridingpublic,ourownemployees, futuregenerations,andourbeautifulIsland.Imua!

11

MarcBehicconsidersitagreathonortobeselectedasOperatorof theQuarteramonghispeersfromtheOTSfamily.

“IconsiderthisanothermilestoneinmycareerasaprofessionalCitybusdriver.Inmy25yearsofservice forMTLandOTS, there have been a few careerhighlights.

1)IwasamongthefirsttodrivethroughKolekolePassduringthe2000NanakuliStandOff.

2)After the9/11attacks, IsuggestedplacingtheAmericanflagdecalonthesideofthebusestohonorthefallenandinstillpride,anditwasdone.

3)ItwasalsoagreathonortobechosenasoneoftheeliteAsia-PacificEconomicCooperation(APEC)busdrivers.HPDtrainedushowtouseagasmaskandALLtheAPECdriversgotgassedinanactualgaschamber! ThatmadetheAPECdriversahybridbreedofdrivers.Itwasanaturalrushtohaveabusloadoffully-armedcopswithfullriotgearandshotguns.Ilookforwardtothathonordutyagain!!!

When I’m not driving I teach Filipinomartialartsandhealing.I’vebeendoingthatfrom5yearsoldtillnow…47yearsinmartialarts.Iama“Tuhan”(grandmaster)andalsoamassage“Hilot”(healer). IamalsoanExecutiveTVProducerforOleloTVfor“HawaiiEscrimador”FilipinoMartialArts.”

Congratulations, Marc Behic - Summer 2014 Operator of the Quarter!

PhotoAbove:Summer 2014 Operator of the Quarter Marc Behic.

It’s Coming!

Congratulations, Marc!

Continued from cover

Operator of the Quarter“Bepatienttoseniorsanddisabled.Cometoworkwithapositiveattitudeandnomaketrouble!Ifyoudoallthat,you’llgoalongway,”saysJerryCalpito,Winter2013OperatoroftheQuarter.

Jerryisfromclass#114,thefirstclasstograduateatthethennewMiddleStreetBusFacilityin1990.ClassmatesincludedDinoAlvarez,RobertEllazar,JasonHoshida,BarryYoza,SamDeLaCruz,andTonyMedina.PriortojoiningMTL/OTS,JerryworkedforLove’sBakery.

After 24 years of hard work, Jerry isthankfulforbeingabletosupporthisfamily,takingthebiggerrunswhenavailable,andworkingonhisdaysoff.

Afamilyman,JerrylivesinEwaBeachwithhiswife,son,andfourdogs.HisdaughteralsolivesinEwaBeach,andJerrywillbewalkingherdowntheaisleinOctober!

Congratulations, Jerry!

Congratulations, Jerry Calpito - Winter 2013 Operator of the Quarter!

PhotoAbove:Winter 2013 Operator of the Quarter Jerry Calpito.

Marc’sadvicetoall:“Treatpeoplewithrespectandkindness.”

12

Overthepastyears,theCity’sorigin-to-destinationparatransitserviceshasgrownbyleapsandboundswhilethecapacityofthesystemhasnotbeenabletokeepupwiththedemand.RecentnationaltransitdatashowsHawaii’sparatransitasthesecondmostutilizedsystempercapitaintheUnitedStates.

TheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActthatwascreatedin1990isclearinthatparatransitservicesshouldbecomparabletofixedrouteandmustmeetcertainstandardsindoingso.Hereareourlatestprojectstohelpimprovetheservice.

• Reductionofreservationswindowfromseven(7)daystotwo(2)days:CommencingonJuly1,2014,ourcustomerswillnowhavetobooktheirride2daysinadvanceratherthan7.Thiswillshortenthelengthofcalltimesaswellasreduceno-showsandcancellations.

• No-Show Policy: In April 2014, in collaboration withDTS,OTSimplementedamorestringentno-showpolicytohelpreducetheabnormallyhighrateofcancellationsthathampertheservice.

•VehicleProcurement:Ninety-nine(99)newTheHandi-Vanvehiclesshouldbeontheroadbyyear’send replacinganagingfleetofvehicles.

•CallCenterPerformance:Additionalstaffinghasbeen hiredtoanswer100percentofthecallswithinfiveminutes.

•OnlineScheduling:AnewServiceDeliveryManager,Ms.LeahCalixto,bringsawealthofexperienceandprofessionalismtothedepartmentandwillleadthechargetoachieveonlinescheduling.

ImprovingDataandCellularCommunicationsontheVehicles:Wearecurrentlyintheprocessofapilotprojectwherebyweareconnecting20vehiclestoa“cellular”networkratherthantheolder,outdatedanalogsystem.Thiswillenhanceourabilitytocommunicateandconsiderationcanbemadetonolongerusea“paper”manifest.

•EligibilityRequirements:DTShasputinplaceaneligibilitycentertobecomemorestringentindeterminingacustomer’seligibility.

•ModificationtoCoupons:AmajorrevisionofTheHandi-Vancouponhasbeeninitiatedwhichincreasesaccountabilityandlimitsthepotentialforfraud.

• Monthly Community Meetings: Monthly meetings areheldwiththeridingcommunitytogetfeedbackonchangesaswellasissuesbeingbroughttothetable.

ThesearejustafewoftheendeavorsthathaverecentlybeenimplementedorintheprocessofbeingputintoplacetohelpimproveTheHandi-Vanservice!

AlohaandMahalo,TheHandi-Van

What’s Going On At TheHandi-Van?John BlackVice President, Paratransit Services

Photoabove(left to right):Local news crews gather around Mayor Kirk Caldwell in front of the new TheHandi-Van.

Photoabove(left to right):John Black,VicePresident,ParatransitServices;Shirley Sypert, Donald Sakamoto,

Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Barbara Armentrout, Laureen Kukino, Breene Harimoto.

January 2014WendyNaile

February 2014GingerKalamau

March 2014BenjaminRoque

April 2014JacobTurner

May 2014JoelSagaysay

June 2014AmeliaWilling

Paratransit Van Operators Of The Month

OCTOBER 2013Five (5) Consecutive Year AwardBocoboc,GlennChung,EarlSix (6) Consecutive Year AwardMacho,DanielSeven (7) Consecutive Year AwardLaquihon,MercedesQuibodeaux,RickySione,MatthewTen (10) Consecutive Year AwardFreitas,RobynRoque,Benjamin

NOVEMBER 2013Five (5) Consecutive Year AwardAlama,RustyTen (10) Consecutive Year AwardVisarra,Alexander

DECEMBER 2013Six (6) Consecutive Year AwardAgag,RannieSeven (7) Consecutive Year AwardWoodward,MichaelNine (9) Consecutive Year AwardCezar,RuebenTen (10) Consecutive Year AwardSouza,StanleyEleven (11) Consecutive Year AwardAbbott,GordonAhia-Young,VioletAnagaron,RamonDeGuzman,Randall

JANUARY 2014Five (5) Consecutive Year AwardCullen,PatsySix (6) Consecutive Year AwardCalamayan,BenjaminEleven (11) Consecutive Year AwardCabalo,NormanHarvey,DesireeIkeda,LavoneMiller,AndrewSamski,Carol

FEBRAURY 2014Six (6) Consecutive Year AwardBaquiel,JonathanSeven (7) Consecutive Year AwardMaghamil,AlbertNatividad,BryanPerucho,RodolfoJr.Nine (9) Consecutive Year AwardLuckhaus,MartinTen (10) Consecutive Year AwardGaea,MarianEleven (11) Consecutive Year AwardLoa,IsaakoSuga,Joselito

MARCH 2014Five (5) Consecutive Year AwardPacarro,ElviraSeven (7) Consecutive Year AwardSilva,FrancisTurner,JacobUehara,Roy

Paratransit Safety AwardsEight (8) Consecutive Year AwardMawae,JonahNaile,WendyTabalba,RobertEleven (11) Consecutive Year AwardCapulong,DemetrioHaili,ErnieKawelo,DarlenePonce,Ariel

APRIL 2014Five (5) Consecutive Year AwardAmero,LanceJandoc,RoelSix (6) Consecutive Year AwardBartolome,LoretoSeven (7) Consecutive Year AwardKealoha,TerrenceEleven (11) Consecutive Year AwardSipili,Faapale

MAY 2014Five (5) Consecutive Year AwardKaaloa,StewartSix (6) Consecutive Year AwardNettles,Gary

13

Mr.RamonP.Anagaranhasbeenselectedas2013ParatransitServices“MASTEROPERATOR.”Mr.AnagaranisaloyalanddedicatedemployeewithOahuTransitServices,Inc.-ParatransitServicessinceDecember12,1994.Hecontinuouslydemonstratesstrongworkethics,goodcustomerrelations,andrespectforhisco-workersandmanagers/supervisors.Heis150percentfocusedondoingthebestjobpossiblefortheorganization,theCity&CountyofHonolulu,andespeciallyhis customers. He is dependable,dedicated, and continually expandsandenhanceshisjobknowledgeinall

areasofParatransitServices.Inadditiontobeingdedicatedtohisposition,heis pleasant to work with and alwaysexhibits a calm and caring persona.Althoughhehasbeenfacedwitha lotofchallengesthroughouthiscareer,hehassucceededbyovercoming thesechallenges, for which he has gainedoutstandingexperience.ItiswithgreatpleasurethatwerecognizeMr.RamonP.Anagaran-2013ParatransitServices“MASTEROPERATOR.”

Congratulations, Ramon P. Anagaran –2013 Master Operator of the Year!

PhotoRight:Master Operator of the Year 2013 Ramon P. Anagaran.CONGRATULATIONS,

MR. RAMON P. ANAGARAN

14

Wecanchoosetojustkeepupwithit,keepaheadofit,orriskbeingleftbehind.I’vealwaysthoughtthatforsuchahistoric,storied,andiconicinstitutioninHonolulu,TheBushasalwayscommittedtoinnovate,improve,andembracechangeonalllevels.IstartedmycareerintransitinOctoberof1998.Eventhoughthat’snowoverfifteenyearsago,Irememberalotofthingsvividly,includingmeetingmybossandmentor,KenStanley,forthefirsttime.AsjollyasKenwas,ourPresidentandGeneralManagerJamesCowendidnotappeartobethelaughingtype.However,IeventuallylearnedwhatagreatsenseofhumorMr.Cowenactuallyhad.Onmyfirstday,TrainingCoordinatorCalvinKapuawasonvacation,soTracyKimparkedmeinCalvin’sofficetowatchtrainingvideosonVHStapeonthebig-screenTV.Tracykeptaskingme,“YouwenttoIolaniANDUSC,whydoyouwanttoworkHERE?”Ihadtoconvincehimthatyes,Ididwantmyjobasanentry-leveltransportationclerkintheDataAnalysissectionreportingtoGingerNagaminewhowasandstillislikeamomtome.Iwatched themanyclerical trainingvideos,andespeciallyrememberthein-housevideowemadeonsexualharassmentwhereKimoDickson,posingasabusoperator,workedhisunwantedlovemagiconunsuspectingpassengerMonaSilva.Iwonderifwestillhavethatvideoonfile?Ifso,weshouldseriouslypostthattoYouTube;itwoulddefinitelygoviral.AsIthinkmoreonmytimehereatTheBus,changehasreallybeentheonlyconstant.OurnewestvehicleswhenIstartedwerethe300-seriesGilligPhantoms.ThesewereourfirstbusesthattalkedusingGPStechnologywiththe-radiopersonalitynowStateSenatorBrickwoodGaluteria’svoice.MakingourbusestalkrepresentssomeofmyproudestworkhereatTheBus.NowahundredpercentofthefleettalksinperfectHawaiianwithkumu‘oleloHawai’iPuakeaNogelmeier’sresonanttones.I’vealsowatchedothertechnologieschange.OurSchedulingsectionusedtouseIBMPCsandWordPerfecttoproducethetimetablesand--rememberthese?--runningtimechartsbeforewehadHASTUSanddriverpaddles.WhenIstarted,westillhadmanualrollingdestinationsignsinthefleetwhereyouhadto

playwithaseriesofelectricswitches--orturnastubborncrank--toshowthepropersignsinthewindowsafarcryfromsimplypushingDESTA,enteringthecode,andpressingENTER.IalsohadthegreatexperienceofhelpingtoimplementTransitMaster,ourAVLsystem.Withourpreviousradiosystem,rememberhowmanytimesyouhadtopushthebuttonstologin?I’msureeveryonehadsympathyforwhomeverhad999,1999,or2999astheiremployeenumber.Asthecompanyevolved,sodidmyrole.IhadtheopportunitytoworkcloselywithRogerMorton,RobertYu,andmanyofthemoversandshakersofOahuTransit–someofwhomarefuturemanagersjustwaitingfortheopportunityto lead.WealsohadcloserelationshipswithourpartnersattheCityandCountyofHonolulu’sDepartmentofTransportationServices,collaboratingabouteverychangeimplementedinourbussystem.IalwayspictureRouteAbeingbornataboutthesametimethatIstartedatthecompany,andtherestoftheletteredCityandCountryExpressesthatfollowed:B,C,andtwoversionsofE.I lovethefactthatwehaveatransitsystemthathasadeephistoryontheislandofOahu;thatourparents,grandparents,great-grandparents,andgreat-grandparentstraveledonthesamestreetsandroutesthatwestillrolldown.Ialwaysposedthequestion:“WhydoyouthinkRoute1isnumberedRoute1?BECAUSEITWASTHEFIRSTROUTE!”Again,wecomebacktonecessarychange.I’vehadtheprivilegeofhelpingtointroduce56newroutes,thepainofdiscontinuing34existingroutes,thechallengesofrestructuring18majorroutes,andthesatisfactionofmakingminorefficiencytweakson72routes.Therewereonly14routesleftuntouchedinmyfifteenyearsatTheBus;knowingwhatIknownow,Isurelywouldhavegoneforacleansweepandtriedtotoucheverysingleroutewhetheritneededitornot.Butthatbringsupanimportantpoint:changeforthesakeofimprovementisalwaysworthit;changeforthesakeofchangeisnot.Weneedtoembraceourcorevalues,realizewhywearesuccessful,andmakesurethattheseprinciplesdonot,andwillnotchange.OTSisawonderful‘ohana-basedorganizationwhereweareabletoconductourselvesasprofessionalsbutalsoknoweachotherasfamily.Wecareabouteachother.Wecelebrateourcollectivevictoriesandlosses.Whenamemberofour‘ohanapasses,wegrievetogetherandremembergoodtimes.Aboveall,weloveeachother.AsIampoisedtoleavethiswonderfulorganizationtotakeonnewchallengesattheHonoluluAuthorityforRapidTransportation(HART),IwanteveryonetoknowhowgratefulIam--andwillforeverbe--thatIwaspartofHonolulu’siconicTheBus.Ihopetotaketheexperiencesofpride,humility,hardwork,andwillingnesstoembracechangetomakeTheTrainjustasgoodasTheBus.ToTheBusoperators,alwaysshootmeashakaorafriendlyhorntap!

TotheMaintenancecrews,becauseofyouwecanallsucceed.Keepdoingwhatyoudo.

TothemanyotherswhodosomuchdiverseworkatOahuTransit,youmakerunningthebestbussystemintheworldlookeasy!Iwillmissyoualleveryday.Alohapumehana,JonNouchi

Change Is A Constant, So I Always Hear

Jon Nouchi, formerDirectorofPlanning&ServiceDevelopment;DeputyDirectorofPlanningand

Environment,HonoluluAuthorityforRapidTransportation

Express!Publishedby

OahuTransitServices,Inc.OperatorsofTheBus&TheHandi-Van

811MiddleStreetHonolulu,Hawaii96819

≈

Department of Transportation Services

Michael D. FormbyDirector,DepartmentofTransportationServices

Eileen MarkChief,PublicTransitDivision

≈

Oahu Transit Services, Inc.

J. Roger MortonPresidentandGeneralManager

≈

Express! Staff

Jerome PreeseVicePresident,Planning&Marketing

Michelle KennedyDirectorofMarketing&Communications

Linda MitsunagaCustomerServiceClerkCoordinator

(CustomerCommunications)

Sadao R. NarikiyoGraphicDesigner

Scott SasakiDistributionClerk

(CustomerCommunications)

≈

Contributing Writers

John BlackVicePresident,ParatransitServices

Tom EnomotoManager,CustomerService

Jon Nouchi DeputyDirectorofPlanningandEnvironmentHonoluluAuthorityforRapidTransportation

15

TheBus Roadeo Winners Honored

Photoabove(left to right):Brian Lowery, Lonn Nakata, Richard Takeuchi,Derwin Yamaguchi, Mona Silva, Ginger Kalamau, John Steffens, Lincoln Alvarez, and Alipate Taualupe are shown waiting to be recognized at Honolulu City Council.

Photoabove(left to right):Richard Takeuchi, Brian Lowery, Roger Morton, Derwin Yamaguchi, Lonn Nakata, John Steffens, Mayor Kirk Caldwell,

Ginger Kalamau, Alipate Taualupe, Lincoln Alvarez.

The2014APTAInternationalBusRoadeowasheldinKansasCity,Missouri,inMay.TheBusoperatorAlipateTaualupe,placed6thinthe35-footbusdivisionwithascoreof583points.OurMaintenanceteam,BrianLowery,LonnNakata,andRichardTakeuchiscored2,202.5pointstaking3rdplaceintheNationalMaintenanceRoadeo.Theyplaced1stintheABS(brake)competition.Withthecombinedscore,thefour-manteamtook3rdplaceoverallover29teams.CongratulationstoAlipate,Brian,Lonn,andRichardonyouraccomplishments!JobWellDone!

2014 APTA International Bus Roadeo Results

PresortedStandard

U.S. Postage

PAIDHonolulu, HI

Permit No. 9033

811 Middle StreetHonolulu HI96819-2343

Calendar of EventsJuly 4 - Independence Day Holiday - Sunday Schedule (AZon) 6 - Deadline to submit “Division Transfer” memos to Dispatch21 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 1:30 p.m. at both divisions22 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at the Pearl City Division22 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 1:30 p.m. at the Kalihi Division23 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions28 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions31 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at the Kalihi Division

August 5 - Relief Run Completion: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions 6 - Relief Run Completion: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at the Kalihi Division

September 1 - Labor Day Holiday - Sunday Schedule19 - AUW Day

October19 - Deadline to submit “Division Transfer” memos to Dispatch30 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 1:30 p.m. at both divisions31 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at the Pearl City Division31 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 1:30 p.m. at the Kalihi Division31 - OTS Cosplay Contest

November 3 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions 4 - Election Day - Weekday Schedule (SDoff) 5 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions10 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions11 - Veterans’ Day - Saturday Schedule12 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions13 - Regular Run Sign-Up: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at the Kalihi Division18 - Relief Run Completion: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at both divisions19 - Relief Run Completion: Start Time 9:00 a.m. at the Kalihi Division27 - Thanksgiving Day - Sunday Schedule (AZoff)

December 7 - Effective Start Date for the December Sign-Up11 - Roadeo/Holiday Bash

15 - Admission Day Holiday - State Holiday Schedule24 - Effective Start Date for the August Sign-Up

August Cont.