Kaua‘i Bus launches new tap-and-ride system

Garden Isle residents and visitors alike now have a simpler, more flexible and cost-effective way to travel around the island.

The Kaua‘i Bus has a new account-based ticketing system powered by Masabi’s Justride open platform.

It builds on the successful mobile ticketing launch 4 months ago, allowing passengers who have downloaded The Kaua‘i Bus app or picked up a Holomua card to simply tap and ride.

With the new account-based ticketing system, riders no longer need to pre-purchase tickets or choose a fare in advance.

They can instead use the app or smartcard to tap and board, with the system automatically calculating and deducting the lowest applicable fare through fare capping.

This upgrade is part of a broader plan to modernize Kaua‘i’s public transit fare system, paving the way for future enhancements such as Open Payments, which will enable passengers to pay directly with contactless bank cards or mobile wallets.

Open Payments is scheduled to launch later this year.

“This launch is a major step forward in our mission to make public transportation on Kaua‘i easier, more accessible and more modern,” Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami said in an annoucement about the launch of .

Riders can manage their transit accounts via The Kaua‘i Bus app — available for Androids and iPhones — or an online portal, where they can add funds and track usage.

The account-based ticketing system ensures passengers always receive th e best value for their trips:

• Mainline single ride: Adult $2/reduced fare $1.
• Day pass: Adult $5/reduced fare $2.50.
• Monthly fare cap: Adult $50/reduced Fare $25.

It also reduces the need to carry cash or plan fares in advance, making bus travel easier.

Riders who prefer to pay with cash can load funds onto their account at select retail locations or at The Kaua‘i Bus office.

The Holomua smartcard is especially useful for riders without smartphones who still want to take advantage of digital fare benefits.

“We’re delighted to deepen our partnership with The Kauaʻi Bus supporting the roll out account-based ticketing and bringing smarter, more efficient payment options to riders,” Masabi Chief Executive Officer Brian Zanghi said in the announcement about the new service. “Kauaʻi’s approach, starting with mobile ticketing and expanding to [account-based ticketing], is a powerful example of how transit systems can evolve and transform fare collection in phases to deliver meaningful improvements for their communities.”

Visit The Kaua‘i Bus website for additional information about bus service and eTicketing. You can click here to view bus scheduled.

Call 808-246-8110 or visit The Kaua‘i Bus Facebook page for more assistance.