Honolulu Director of Transportation Services Mike Formby has an op-ed in today’s Star-Advertiser that defends the administration’s desire to sell advertising on buses.

The revenue generating measure has received some push back in the community, namely from The Outdoor Circle and the newspaper editorial board.

Billboards are banned in Hawaii. But both groups think bus advertising would be a slippery slope in reversing that trend.

But Formby argues on behalf of Mayor Kirk Caldwell that bus ads would do little to dismantle the billboard ban. He also says the money that would be generated — about $8 million annually — is needed to help offset skyrocketing operational costs.

“In 2003, TheBus and TheHandi-Van cost $135 million to operate,” Formby wrote. “Today, the system costs $225 million, an 80 percent increase in operational costs. During the same 10-year period, Oahu’s population increased about 10 percent.”

You can read Formby’s pitch to give bus advertising a fighting chance here. (Subscription required)

Photo via Flickr courtesy of Simon_sees.

—Nick Grube