S.O.B.S. That's for "Save our bus stops." It could be the cry you hear on Wednesday when the folks at the Department of Transportation Services reveal which stops they want to eliminate.

Transit managers are on a two-year campaign to streamline the 4,300 bus stops on O'ahu, and have targeted areas like Kapi'olani Boulevard and 13 of its 44 stops.

Efficiency is a good thing. But taking away stops makes TheBus less convenient. That, in turn, could cost the system riders because of the longer walks to get on board. Seniors are already complaining about any changes.

James Burke, chief of the Public Transit Division at the city Department of Transportation Services, is aware that the convenience factor could lose riders. But he said a common complaint is that buses "stop too much."

If one of the department's goals is improving traffic flow, a better solution could be mixing limited-stop runs with regular runs. That way convenience isn't drastically compromised.

Burke said he's looking into that. He's also looking for riders' opinions. When the notices go up next week, riders will be able to call 523-4582.

If your stop is endangered, don't be afraid to chime S.O.B.S.