The 4 MRinggit Bus Fare

Friday, 12 May 2006
We bought the RM4.00 1-day bus ticket (which was introduced on the 18 March 2006), with the intention of visiting as many places as possible. We were told that there is another better deal - RM7.00 1-day 'rapidKL" ticket, which was just introduced, and that allows you to travel on the LRTs as well - isn't that fantastic? Can't change the RM4 tickets that we have already purchased to RM7 tickets. Next time, I would definitely buy the RM7 tickets for my visitors to Kuala Lumpur.

First place of visit - KLCC. I have been there but not my Uncle nor my Sister. We boarded the first bus, whereby the driver said he would drop us to a bus stand, where we could catch another bus to the KLCC. We waited and waited, thinking that the 'rapidKL' buses that uses that route would automatically stop at our bus stand, but none stopped! We were still there when the first driver who was driving back to his station, stopped at the bus stand, opposite the road to us, and saw us! He beckoned us to board his bus. And so we returned to where we started! That is okay, we are not in the hurry and we don't have to pay!

As instructed, we boarded the '106' bus. It would take us to the KLCC bus stand. My sister was hungry and we thought we eat first somewhere cheaper before we go to KLCC (you got to pay more to eat there). A passenger helped to press the bell, to a bus stand, that will lead us to food! We found ourselves at a place called Masjid India. That was what I was told and I believe her because I see most of the people eating (there were plenty of food stalls there but unfortunately no Chinese food, nevertheless we ate) and shopping there are Indians.

Came out of the 'Masjid India' and boarded '106' bus again to KLCC. From there we decided to visit the National Zoo. We boarded 'T20' bus to hub "AU3 Jentayu" then boarded "303" to the National Zoo.

Glad to left the National Zoo before the rain started. It was raining heavily when we waited for "303" or "305" to take us to hub "Giant Permata" so that we could take the "T20" back to the hub "Titiwangsa" in the city. My Uncle stretched out his hand a couple of times but "303" and "305" wouldn't stop! Why? Why? Why?

I was told later by the driver that probably Uncle did not stretch out his hand early enough for the driver to see to stop! It was not easy to see the number of the bus from a distance because it is not big and furthermore it was raining! I wondered how long the 3 of us waited! Asked a family of 4 waiting and they didn't offer much help either. They don't know why the bus did not stop for us!! Obviously they were not waiting for bus and not experienced with bus! Thanks to the 4 young girls who joined us later. One of them stretched out her hand only once as soon as she saw the red coloured bus approaching! The bus stopped! We should have stretched out our hands as soon as we noticed the bright red bus because only "303" and "305" uses that route! We thought there were other numbers! How would we know?

It was still raining when we arrived at the "Titiwangsa". If it was not raining, we would have gone on some more bus rides! Since it was raining, we decided to call it a day and buy the train ticket from the 'Titiwangsa" LRT station, which is at the same location to "Salak Selatan" LRT station.

What a day of public transport!! I don't mind to try again! Batu Caves was one of the places I wanted to bring my Uncle and Sister today as well, but we could not make it! Another time! The RM4 ticket was worth it! Next time, I buy the RM7 ticket!