Residents reporting potholes to the city through a Web site and over the phone can expect to have the road ruts fixed in about five working days, Mayor Mufi Hannemann said yesterday.

The Web site program, which launched this year, also outlines where the city's roving crew of pothole repairmen are at any given time.

The site, which features a grimacing, beret-wearing yellow face against a camouflage background, also allows residents to track the progress of pothole complaints and repair work.

Hannemann said he hopes the site will give residents an added tool for evaluating travel routes to and from work before driving off in the morning.

Potholes have been "annoying to our residents, but people have told me they've gotten excellent results (from the Web site and phone number). Our road crews have been working very hard. This is working," said Hannemann, speaking at a news conference yesterday. "We'd like to focus on road rehabilitation, and I know we're making excellent progress, but there are so many of them (road issues). It's quick (once you call), within days, maybe within a week."

In 2005, Hannemann declared a "war on potholes," which included more funding for pothole crews and repaving projects.

The city has patched 7,187 potholes so far this year compared with 80,334 potholes in 2007.

In other city news, TheBoat will begin earlier trips starting March 31 in an effort to attract more riders. The city's two ferries, which travel from Kalaeloa to Aloha Tower, will leave Kalaeloa at 5 a.m. and return from town at 4 p.m.

Wayne Y. Yoshioka, city director of transportation services, said TheBoat is averaging about 283 riders per day and nearly 1,500 a week. Yoshioka said the program will be evaluated within the context of the city's entire transportation systems, including TheBus and in the future, a mass-transit rail system.

"There are people who get off work at 3:30, 3:45 who would like an earlier boat," said Yoshioka. "It's not so much that we're looking for a particular cost per rider, rather ... does this give us more (transportation) choices."

The twin 72-foot aluminum catamarans Rachel Marie and Melissa Anne began running Kalaeloa-to-Honolulu routes in September. Each vessel seats 149.

A one-way trip costs $2 for adults. Bus passes are also honored.

The ferry service and five linked bus routes are expected to cost $6 million a year. Federal grants are providing $5 million. The city has asked for $10 million in the upcoming budget to pay for the service.

Hannemann has characterized the ferries as an important alternative to driving on the island's crowded roads and freeways.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.