Paying For The Bus In Oahu: A Guide

If you're looking to pay for the bus in Oahu, you're in luck—the island's public transit system, known as TheBus, offers a variety of payment options. The most common method is to pay with cash upon boarding, with exact change required as drivers do not provide change. Alternatively, you can purchase a HOLO card, a reloadable smart card that can be tapped on card readers when boarding. HOLO cards can be loaded with money online, through your phone, or at local retailers. TheBus also offers various pass options, such as 4-day, 7-day, monthly, and annual passes, which can be purchased at TheBus Pass Office or select stores. So, whether you're a visitor or a local, there are convenient ways to pay for your bus rides in Oahu.

Cash or card

You can pay with either cash or card when travelling on TheBus in Oahu. The Honolulu bus system is ranked as one of the best transit systems in the world, with over 72 million riders per year.

Cash

If you choose to pay with cash, you must pay with the exact fare as drivers do not carry change. You can pay with bills or change, and you can use a $5 bill for two people travelling together. There is a farebox where you feed the money in.

Card

The alternative to cash is to purchase a HOLO Card online or at various HOLO retail locations throughout Oahu. This is a reloadable smart card that you can use to pay for rides by tapping it on the card reader when boarding the bus. You can load money onto your HOLO card online, using your phone, and at local retailers. You can also set up autoload to reload your card with funds when it's running low.

Exact change required

How to Pay for the Bus in Oahu

Oahu's public transit system, known as TheBus, accepts several forms of payment.

If you choose to pay with cash, you will need to have the exact change ready, as bus drivers do not carry cash and cannot provide change. The single fare is $3.00, which includes 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers. This means that if you pay your $3.00 in cash, you can transfer buses as many times as you need to within 2.5 hours at no extra cost.

If you are travelling with a partner or a friend, you can pay for two fares with a $5 bill, but you must inform the driver that the money is for two fares.

Other Payment Options

To avoid having to use exact change, you can purchase a HOLO card, which is a reloadable smart card that you can tap on the card reader when boarding the bus. You can purchase and reload your HOLO card online, by phone, or at various HOLO retail locations throughout Oahu. The HOLO card itself costs $2.00, and you can load money onto it in several ways, including online or at local retailers. You can also set up autoload to add more funds when your balance is low or to add a certain amount every month. If you lose your HOLO card, you can cancel it online and transfer the remaining balance to a new card.

There are also several bus passes available for purchase:

• 4-day pass: $35
• 7-day pass: $30
• Monthly pass: $80
• Annual pass: $880

Passes available

There are a variety of passes available for TheBus, Honolulu's public transit system. The following passes are available for purchase:

• Single Fare: $3.00, includes 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers.
• Day Pass: $7.50, no additional payments for the day.
• 7-Day Pass: $30.00, unlimited rides for 7 consecutive days.
• Monthly Pass: $80.00, valid from the first day to the last day of the month.
• Monthly Cap: $80.00, no additional payments for the month once this amount is reached.
• Annual Pass: $880.00.

There are also discounted passes available for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Youth between the ages of 6 and 17, or students up to 19 years old with a valid high school ID, can purchase a single fare for $1.50 and a day pass for $3.00. Seniors and people with disabilities must present a Senior HOLO Card, government-issued ID, or proof of disability to receive the discounted rate. The single fare for these groups is $1.50, and the day pass is $3.00.

In addition to these options, there is a 4-day visitor pass available for $35 that offers unlimited bus rides for four consecutive days. This pass can be purchased at the TheBus Pass Office at Ala Moana Shopping Center and all ABC stores in Waikiki.

The HOLO Card is another option for riders, which can be loaded with money online, via phone, or at local retailers. This card can be used to pay for rides and earn day and month passes. Riders can also set up autoload to ensure their card is always funded.

HOLO card

The HOLO card is a reloadable smart card that can be used to pay for rides on TheBus in Oahu. The card is tapped on a card reader when boarding the bus, and users can load money onto the card online, via phone, or at local retailers. The HOLO card can also be used on the Skyline rail system, allowing for seamless transfers between TheBus and Skyline.

The HOLO card offers a convenient and hassle-free way to pay for bus fares, eliminating the need to carry exact change in cash. It provides a range of fare options, including single fares, day passes, 7-day passes, monthly passes, and annual passes. The card also includes a transfer function, where users are not charged additional fares when boarding multiple buses or trains within a 2.5-hour window. Additionally, the card offers discounted fare categories for youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders.

One of the key benefits of the HOLO card is its fare-capping system. This system ensures that users are not charged for additional fares after reaching the cost of a day or monthly pass within a given period. This encourages users to take advantage of the transit system without worrying about accumulating multiple charges. The card can be easily managed online, allowing users to reload funds, set up autoload, and link multiple cards to their account. In case of loss or theft, users can cancel their card and transfer the balance to a new one.

The HOLO card can be purchased online or at various retail locations across Oahu, including the Kalihi Transit Center. It is recommended to order the card in advance, as delivery may take up to 10 business days. The card is also available for a discounted rate of $2 if purchased with an Adult Day Pass from select retailers, such as ABC Stores. However, it's important to note that ABC Stores do not offer reloading services for HOLO cards.

Overall, the HOLO card provides a simple and affordable solution for getting around the island of Oahu. With its convenience, flexibility, and cost-saving features, it has become an essential tool for both residents and tourists navigating the island's transit system.

Concessions

Oahu's public transport system, TheBus, offers a range of concessions for children, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Children aged 5 and under can ride TheBus for free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger, provided they do not occupy a seat.

Students in grades 6-12 and under the age of 19 can purchase a single fare for $1.25.

Seniors aged 65 and over with a reduced fare card or valid Medicare card, as well as persons with disabilities, can purchase a single fare for $1. To obtain a reduced fare card, seniors can apply for a Senior HOLO Card, which also entitles them to discounted single fares of $1.50 and day passes for $3.

Additionally, Oahu offers TheHandi-Van, a specialised public transit service for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the regular bus service. TheHandi-Van has a single fare of $2.25, and users must present a valid TheHandi-Van card or TheHandi-Van HOLO Card.

For all concession categories, it is important to carry valid proof of identity and present it upon request.

Frequently asked questions