John Andoh has been hired by Mayor Mitch Roth to be the mass transit administrator of the County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency. Andoh has been serving in the position on temporary assignment for the past few months. His start date was Jan. 3.

 “John brings a wealth of transportation experience from a variety of communities,” said managing director Lee Lord.  “I am confident that he can bring new innovations to the Mass Transit Agency and rejuvenate our public transit system that has been faced with challenges.”

As administrator, Andoh will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the agency and be the chief administrative officer, implementing elements of the Master Plan, supporting the Transportation Commission, pursing grant funds, transforming the fleet to zero emissions and purchasing a brand-new bus fleet, lead policy development for the agency, and plan for a balanced, safe, and efficient transportation system.

“We were excited in selecting John to join the Mass Transit Agency with his depth and breadth of public transportation management experience," said Mayor Roth.  “He will do an exceptional job of improving public transportation here on our island and his work that he has done in the last six months on our Master Plan is amazing. We know that he will bring that same passion, expertise and vigor to our island, as we all work to make Hawai’i Island sustainable for generations to come.”

Additional responsibilities include promoting increased use of sustainable forms of transportation, including walking, biking, and transit use island-wide and working to improve equity in transportation policies, programs, and services. 

“I am very grateful for this opportunity to return to Hawai’i County to make Hele-On the best that it can be.  Since originally coming to this island in 2014 and falling in love with the people and the environment and the island as a whole, I am looking toward building Hele-On to be economic driver for the island and achieve the goals of Mayor Roth’s administration towards a better sustainable quality of life for island residents” stated John.

Andoh was previously the Executive Director/CEO of the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) in Columbia, SC.  He held this position since 2018 and was responsible for directing all aspects of a multi-county public transit system’s operations while ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and managing many agreements for service delivery.

During his tenure with The COMET, Andoh implemented partnerships for bike sharing, transportation network companies, mobility management, and vanpooling. He also established a transportation programs to address food deserts, nighttime needs and connected people to vaccination sites as well as providing fresh produce at a downtown transit center.

Andoh's prior transit experience in the last 22 years includes positions with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin, Texas, Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority in Yuma, Arizona, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in Stateline, Nevada and City of Elk Grove in Elk Grove, California, Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) in Columbia, South Carolina.