Get ready: Back-to-school traffic is on the horizon as private schools, UH return

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Back-to-school traffic is back ― and in a big way.

About 50,000 college and private school students will be returning to class next week. State and city officials are urging drivers to plan for more cars ― and more headaches ― on the road.

“After two years of the pandemic, we’ve gotten a little complacent with the traffic. But traffic is definitely back now and it’s going to be back in force when the university goes back in,” said Roger Morton, director of the city’s Department of Transportation Services.

At the University of Hawaii at Manoa this week, traffic delays are expected as nearly 3,500 students are moving into their dorms starting Monday.

School officials said traffic will likely be backed up on Dole Street and University Avenue along with the University Avenue off-ramps of the H-1 Freeway.

The university said most students will move in Tuesday and Friday between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“It’s a tough time for everybody to get through. We hope that everybody stays patient going through this period,” said Ed Sniffen, deputy director for Highways for the state Department of Transportation.

“Plan ahead as much as possible, take care of your vehicle to make sure there’s no break downs, take care of yourselves on the highway to make sure we keep everybody safe.”

To alleviate congestion on the roadways, the city is implementing free fares on TheBus beginning on Monday. The program will last through Friday in effort to increase ridership and encourage the use of HOLO cards.

The city and state is also encouraging rideshare or working from home if it’s an option.

Copyright 2022 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.