Bus Strike Enters Second Week

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The Honolulu bus strike entered its second week Tuesday, and there still has been no resolution. There is growing concern that the strike may cause long-term damage to the bus system.

The Teamsters Union called federal mediator Carol Catanzariti Tuesday morning in hopes of restarting negotiations. The negotiator for the bus company said he's ready to return as well. They expect to meet sometime Wednesday.

Meanwhile, every day people are discovering new ways to get to work or school, and experts said that's a threat to the viability of the system.

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University of Hawaii senior Aaron Rome regularly took the bus between campus and his apartment bulding. Now he walks.

"It just made me realize that I don't need the buses to begin with," Rome said. "I just started walking and feel a lot better when I get to school now. I feel energized, so I think I'll probably continue walking."

Urban planning professor Karl Kim said the bus won't lose all its riders to other forms of transportation, but even a small percentage drop could cut into bus revenue and also reduce political support the system needs.

When the buses do start their routes again, higher fares could also discourage riders. This could hurt the poor and elderly who truly depend on the system for mobility.