People now have until Feb. 6 to provide comments on the draft environmental impact statement for Honolulu's proposed rail transit system.

That's one month longer than originally planned. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services today extended the comment period, which was originally scheduled to conclude Jan. 7.

The extension is aimed at allowing stakeholders and residents additional time to review and comment on the environmental impact statement.

Copies of the statement are available for review at state libraries, the city library, the Department of Transportation Services office at 650 South King St. – 3rd Floor, and the DTS – Rapid Transit Division office at 1099 Alakea St., Suite 1700.

It's also available online at www.honolulutransit.org.

The public can comment in writing to the Department of Transportation Services (650 South King St., 3rd Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813) and on online at www.honolulutransit.org.

The public comment period is mandated by federal and state laws.

All comments received will be considered in preparation of the final environmental impact statement is prepared by the Federal Transit Administration and the city.

The city expects the final environmental impact statement to be released next summer and construction to begin in December 2009.

Limited service between West Loch and Waipahu would start in late 2013, and full service to Ala Moana would begin by the end of 2018.