MTM Transit is partnering with the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency (MTA) to operate its Hele-On Kako’o Island-Wide Paratransit Services. Under the contract, MTM Transit will operate every aspect of MTA’s paratransit services program, inclusive of paratransit eligibility assessments, travel training, and actual paratransit service provision.

Hele-On offers complementary Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit through its Hele-On Kako’o service which is available to individuals with disabilities who are unable to utilize the Hele-On fixed route bus due to their disability. The system is an advanced reservation, origin-to-destination service, with service available in Hilo, Puna, and Kailua-Kona.

To support its operation of the system, MTM Transit will employ a local staff of 13 teammates, including a Project Manager, a Mobility Specialist, four dispatchers, a Safety Trainer/Road Supervisor, and six Vehicle Operators, who will work out of two dedicated offices in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. The new contract adds to MTM Transit’s existing operations in Hawaiʻi, including performing ADA eligibility assessments at TheHandi-Van Eligibility Center in Honolulu.

To learn more about Hele-On services, please visit www.heleonbus.org or call 808.961.8744, option 2, TTD/TTY: 711 for the hearing impaired.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Mayor’s Office