Albert P. Moniz, who started his 50-year transit career in the days of Honolulu streetcars and went on to become president and general manager of the company that now runs the city's bus fleet, died Aug. 19. He was 89.

Moniz was a pioneer of public transportation in Honolulu and did much to set the foundation for the current bus system here, said Roger Morton, president and general manager of O'ahu Transit Services. "During his tenure as general manager, ridership increased from 19 million annual boarding passengers to 72 million," Morton said.

Moniz began his career as an assistant clerk with the Honolulu Rapid Transit and Land Company in 1937, the private company that ran Honolulu's streetcars. During World War II, when ridership soared to over 120 million riders a year, Moniz helped organize a force of civilian and soldier drivers who operated trolleys and buses without lights at night because of the fear of attacks.

When former Mayor Frank Fasi set up the city's current public transit system in 1971, Moniz was tapped to head the operation. After he retired in 1987, he was elected to the American Public Transportation Association's Transit Hall of Fame, the only transit manager from Hawai'i to receive that distinction.

He is survived by his wife, Ritsuko; daughters, Barbara Jean Moniz Tomita, Ann Naomi Moniz Suen and Lynda Joyce Moniz Petersen; daughter-in-law Pamela Moniz and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at Holy Nativity Church in 'Aina Haina. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. with the service to follow.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.