The second phase of a city plan to revamp bus service in Central O'ahu has been delayed while work continues on a new transfer center in Mililani.

Implementation of the new hub-and-spoke system in Central O'ahu will come some time after the center is completed in April, said James Burke, head of the city's Public Transit Division.

The city had planned to establish at least four new routes serving Mililani, Wahiawa Heights, Schofield Barracks, Hale'iwa, Waialua Beach and Mokule'ia by this summer as part of an ongoing revamping of islandwide bus services.

Burke said the plans were pushed back to accommodate some concerns raised by area residents, including those who feared curtailment of some existing bus routes as part of the changes.

In Mililani, the transit center is being built over an existing parking area for Mililani Town Center. Up to eight bus bays will be over the shopping center's parking structure along Mehe'ula Parkway.

The city also is moving ahead with a combination transit center and parking facility adjacent to the existing Wahiawa Civic Center. The ground level will house eight bus bays, passenger waiting areas and a restroom. A second level will accommodate 58 parking stalls. Construction is expected to begin in 2007.

City officials have said in recent weeks that bus service will continue to be a key component of a multimodal transit network as a proposed new rail line is developed. Officials expect many bus routes to be reorganized in coming years to act as a neighborhood feeder service to the rail.