More fun rides on Penang Hop-On Hop-Off

One of the Penang Hop-On Hop-Off buses making a trip in George Town, Penang. — Filepic

THE operator of Penang Hop-On Hop-Off (HoHo) is introducing three new products starting July 1 following an increased demand for its services.

The public can hop on the semi-glass roofed double-decker bus with a partially open-air upper deck to enjoy the new routes — Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Shuttle, City Tour and Panoramic Tour.

Its sales and marketing manager Angeline Chen said the company — Elang Wah Sdn Bhd — decided to introduce the new routes after receiving a high number of enquiries from tourism players. “Many hotels called us up, saying tourists staying at their hotels wanted to go on the Penang Hop-On Hop-Off buses.

The bus service got off to a rousing start in November 2014, which created much excitement as similar services are found in Kuala Lumpur, London and big cities worldwide. But since October last year, the service is only available on alternate days and open to tour group bookings.

The Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Shuttle will be available daily with departure points at Chowrasta Market (10am, noon and 2pm) and Penang Hill (11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm).

The City Tour is available from 9am to 6pm from Friday to Sunday, public and school holidays with live English commentary on board.

There will be 11 designated stops in town area with Chowrasta Market being the interchange.

Those who want to try out the Panaromic Tour can board the bus at Chowrasta Market from Monday to Thursday at 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm.

Accompanied by a tour assistant, they will get to enjoy sightseeing along Gurney Drive, Esplanade, Clan Jetties, Karpal Singh Drive before returning to Chowrasta Market.

The fares for the three new tours are still being finalised.

“The new tours were carefully planned and we hope they can be continued for as long as possible. “Our promotional and marketing efforts are in full swing. We hope that together with the other tourism players, we can complement each other’s business,” Chen said.

Tourism Malaysia northern region deputy director Siti Hajar Mohd Yunus said she was looking forward to the new tours. “The introduction of new tours will help boost the tourism in Penang. If possible, there should also be tours in places like Balik Pulau,” she said.

Elang Wah is the operator of both the Penang HoHo and KL HoHo bus services.

At present, the Sightseeing Tours for Malaysians are RM50 (adult) and RM25 (child), while for foreigners are RM115 (adult) and RM50 (child).

The Sunset Tours for Malaysians are RM88 (adult) and RM33 (child); and for foreigners RM170 (adult) and RM110 (child).

For details, call 011-12305358 or visit www.myhoponhopoff.com

-thestar online.
http://www.myhoponhopoff.com/pg/