The Penang HOHO Bus

Roam time Penang? Let's describe it first!

The most fun and economical way to do this would be via the HOHO or "Hop-On, Hop-Off" Bus. It's my most recommended way to sight-see around the island, particularly for the 1st-time visitor to Penang, like MJ! Oh well, a 2nd-timer or a 3rd-timer will still love riding the HOHO - if they have the 'spare time'!

This was probably my 7th visit, I still love riding the HOHO! And, I swear, I have not yet seen everything that Penang has to offer the visitor. In fact I know the things-to-see-and-do keep increasing every year!

That said, even the number of stops keep increasing, so their numbers(markers) also keep changing!

The best way is not to mind the exact 'stop number' but the 'stop names' - example: Holiday Inn, which was previously 17 that became 25! Of course do note the bus direction you want in order to save time.

Also be aware that there are stops at only one side of the road (e.g., 28 to 32). That is important, since that means the bus will stop only on that side, and going in that direction. Plus, the color of the station numbers also have important meanings! Blue background means it is a regular HOHO stop, where the bus will stop at all times (whether me baba o wala, kasi, baka may sasakay). That is what blue means!

Pink background means it is a 'HOHO Bus Stop On Demand'. Meaning, the bus won't necessarily stop unless anyone of you passengers presses the 'stop button' on the bus.., OR.., unless a passenger is at the bus stop waving and jumping for the driver to stop! Ganun! So, always look at the bus stop colors.

Even the colored rings around the bus stop numbers also have meanings! The green ring means it is the "Beach Route" and red ring means it's the "City Route"! You can freely hop between the two routes.

Oh, some stops have multi-colored rings around the stop numbers. It is usually Bus Stop 01, but there could be others along the way soon. That means, it is an "interchange station" - ibig sabihon, you may "connect" or cross over to the other bus route [as of now there are two: 'City Route' and 'Beach Route'].

We boarded at Holiday Inn bus stop, and bought our two-day tickets - yep, valid for 48 hours - from the driver! But instead of riding on an eastward direction (going to the city), we opted to ride this one that goes westward first, and makes a u-turn at the end (Taman Rimba). Then it returns on the same route, passing all the Beach Route stations (one-by-one), until it reaches the start point which is Stop No. 1.

That was a wise move - because we were able to pass by and see all stations, where we could get off and on as we wished, until we reached Bus Station 1, at Gurney Plaza, one of Penang's biggest malls!

How did it go? Terrific!

MJ had this bright idea that, on the first day (today) we ride through all the stations, just for a go-see without going down to any of the attractions! Just a "running tour", while inside the comfortable bus!

Okay sya.., yet.., I already have many things to tell.., so let's do it in my next story!

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