Paying Bus Fare In Hawaii: A Quick Guide

TheBus is the public transit system in Oahu, Hawaii, and it is a convenient and affordable way to get around the island. The fare for a single ride is $3 and can be paid in cash or with a HOLO card, which is a reloadable smart card that can be purchased online or at various retail locations. The HOLO card is a convenient option as it includes 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers and has daily and monthly caps on fares. There are also discounted fares available for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Cash payment upon boarding

If you're travelling on Oahu's public transit system, TheBus, you can pay your fare in cash when you board. The fare for a single journey is $3.00, which includes 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers. You can also buy a day pass for $7.50, which allows unlimited rides for the rest of the day after you've paid that amount.

When paying in cash, you must have the exact change as drivers do not carry cash for change. You can also buy a HOLO card, a reloadable smart card, for $2.00 and use this to pay your fare by tapping it on the card reader when you board. You can purchase and reload the card online or at various HOLO retail locations throughout Oahu.

If you're travelling with a child, those aged 5 and under can ride for free with a fare-paying passenger, as long as they don't occupy a seat. Students (aged 6-18) can travel for $1.50 for a single journey or $3.00 for a day pass. Seniors (65+) and people with disabilities pay $1.25 for a single journey or $3.00 for a day pass.

TheBus is a great way to get around the island, with buses arriving at stops every 10 to 30 minutes. It's ranked as one of the best transit systems in the world, with over 72 million riders per year.

Paying with a HOLO card

The HOLO card is a convenient way to pay for your bus fare in Hawaii, especially if you're travelling around the island of Oahu. Here's everything you need to know about paying with a HOLO card:

Obtaining a HOLO Card

You can purchase a HOLO card online at holocard.net, or at a retail location. The Kalihi Transit Center is one of the closest sites where you can buy a HOLO card, and it's especially useful if you're looking for a senior-discounted card. You can also order an adult HOLO card online and have it mailed to you, but this may take up to 10 business days. Additionally, ABC Stores sell HOLO Cards preloaded with an Adult Day Pass, which includes a $7.50 pass value and a $2 card fee.

Loading Value onto Your HOLO Card

You can load money onto your HOLO card in several ways. The most convenient method is to do it online using your phone or on the HOLO website. You can also load value at local retailers, with the exception of ABC Stores, which do not offer reloading services. The minimum amount you can load onto your card at a participating store is $3.

Using Your HOLO Card on TheBus

Once you have your HOLO card, using it to pay for your bus fare is simple. Just tap your card when you board TheBus or at a Skyline station, and your fare will be deducted from your card balance. The single fare for TheBus is $3, which includes 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers.

Benefits of the HOLO Card

The HOLO card offers several advantages. Every fare you pay contributes towards a day or month pass. Once you've spent the amount of the pass, you can ride for the rest of the day or month at no additional cost. You can also set up autoload to automatically reload your card when your balance is low or on a monthly basis. Additionally, if you lose your card, you can cancel it online and transfer the balance to a new card, ensuring you don't lose your funds. For families or those managing multiple cards, you can link additional cards to your account using their serial codes.

Fares for students and seniors

TheBus is Oahu's public transit system, which covers most of the island. The service is ideal for those who want to take in the scenery without the stress of driving. Most buses have bike racks and handicapped access, but there are some restrictions—luggage must be stowed on your lap or under your seat, and wet bathing suits are not allowed.

Students and seniors can benefit from reduced fares on TheBus. Students in grades 6-12 and under the age of 19 can ride for $1.25 one way. Seniors aged 65 and over with a reduced fare card or valid Medicare card can also ride for $1 one way. Seniors can obtain a reduced fare HOLO card by presenting a valid photo ID with their date of birth, such as a driver's license, state-issued identification, or passport. These cards are available at Satellite City Halls (except the Ala Moana Center location) and the Transit Pass Office.

For students up to the age of 19, a valid high school ID or proof of enrolment is required to obtain a reduced fare HOLO card. Youth cards are available at Satellite City Halls (except the Ala Moana Center location) and the Transit Pass Office.

The HOLO card is a convenient way to pay for your bus fare. You can load money onto your card online, using your phone, or at local retailers. The card can be tapped on TheBus or at a Skyline station to pay for your transit ride anywhere on the island of Oahu. With the HOLO card, you can also earn day and month passes. Every fare you pay goes towards a pass, and once you've spent enough, you can ride for free for the rest of the day or month.

Buying a HOLO card

The HOLO card is a convenient way to pay your bus fare in Hawaii. It is a tap-to-pay card that can be used on TheBus, The Handi-Van, and at future rail stations across the island. With a HOLO card, you can simplify your travel and eliminate the hassle of dealing with cash. Here is a step-by-step guide to buying and using a HOLO card:

Step 1: Get Your HOLO Card

You can purchase a HOLO card at various locations, including:

• Online: Visit www.holocard.net to buy a card and load value onto it.
• Retail Locations: HOLO retail locations and select participating stores. Some stores sell HOLO cards with preloaded adult day passes or 7-day passes.
• Vending Machines: HOLO vending machines are located at Skyline stations, where you can purchase and load your card.
• Transit Pass Office: For annual passes and reduced fare HOLO cards (Disability, Medicare, Senior, and Youth cards), visit the Transit Pass Office on Middle Street. Bring a valid ID for Senior, Youth, or Medicare cards, and the required physician forms for a Disability card.
• Satellite City Halls: Senior and Youth cards are also available at most Satellite City Halls by appointment. You can also load your card at these locations.

Step 2: Load Your Card

Once you have your HOLO card, you can load money onto it in several ways:

• Online: Visit the HOLO website to load money using your phone or set up an account to reload your card automatically.
• Retailers and Satellite City Halls: Participating retailers and most Satellite City Halls can load a value of $3 or more onto your card. Some stores can also load day, month, and annual passes.
• Vending Machines: HOLO vending machines at Skyline stations allow you to reload your card.

Step 3: Use Your HOLO Card

Using your HOLO card is simple:

• Tap and Go: When boarding TheBus or The Handi-Van, simply tap your card to pay your fare.
• Fare Capping: With fare capping, you don't have to worry about overpaying. Once you reach the daily or monthly cap, you won't be charged anymore for the rest of the day or month.
• Transfer and Unlimited Rides: Your HOLO card allows for transfers, and with a single fare, you get 2.5 hours of unlimited transfers.
• Manage Your Account: You can set up an account to manage multiple cards, reload your card, and cancel and transfer your balance if your card is lost.

By following these steps, you can easily purchase, load, and use a HOLO card to pay your bus fare in Hawaii. It offers a seamless and hassle-free way to navigate the island's transit system.

Monthly and annual passes

TheBus is the public transit system in Oahu, Hawaii. It is a convenient and affordable way to get around the island, especially if you don't have a car.

Monthly Passes

Monthly passes for TheBus in Oahu, Hawaii, offer unlimited rides for the calendar month. The cost of a monthly pass is $80 for adults and $20 for seniors. This pass is valid from the first day to the last day of the month. If you do not purchase a monthly pass, you will still reach a monthly cap of $80, after which no additional payments are required for the rest of the calendar month.

Annual Passes

For those who plan to use TheBus frequently throughout the year, an annual pass is available for $880. This pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. The annual pass offers a significant saving compared to paying the monthly fare each month.

HOLO Card

The HOLO card is a reloadable smart card that can be used to pay for bus fares on TheBus in Oahu. It is not necessary to have a HOLO card, but it offers convenience and the ability to manage your fares easily. You can purchase and load money onto your HOLO card online, through your phone, or at local retailers. Each time you board the bus, you simply tap your card on the card reader, and the fare is deducted from your balance. The HOLO card also offers the benefit of earning day and month passes. Every fare you pay goes towards a pass, and once you reach the cost of a day or monthly pass, you can ride for the rest of that period for free.

Frequently asked questions