To meet the growing need for increased public transportation on Kaua'i's north shore on weekdays, county officials have added three new bus routes.

"The first two buses departing Hanalei at 6:20 and 8:20 a.m. on weekdays are at capacity," said Janine Rapozo, executive on transportation. "So we've added another early morning route that leaves Hanalei at 7:20 a.m. We anticipate that this route will also be filled with commuters."

The afternoon routes heading out to Hanalei have had high ridership, too, noted Rapozo, explaining that the 2:21 and 4:21 pm Route 500 buses that leave Kaua'i Community College bound for Hanalei are also at capacity.

"To fill this demand, we're extending the 3:21 p.m. Route 500 bus, which originated at KCC and terminated in Kapa'a. This bus will now continue on to Hanalei," Rapozo said.

For those wanting to catch The Kaua'i Bus from Hanalei to Lihu'e in the late afternoon, a 5:20 p.m. Route 500 bus has been added.

The new routes took effect May 1.