No 6 Bus from Central
 

Hi, Can anyone give me some information on this bus service?

I read a trip report that talked about this service being one of the highlights of Hong Kong. I am interested in taking this bus to stanley market, but am worried that I wont know where to get off, and then back on again and I don't want to end up in the middle of no-where!!

Is this bus a loop? Do the drivers speak english, and would they be helpful to a woman travelling solo? Any information that would assist me in being confident of not getting lost would be appreciated http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Thanks
Michelle

To go from Central (Exchange Square bus terminus) to Stanley, you can take the 6, 6A, or 6X. (I usually just take the 6X since there are fewer stops enroute.)

Sit on the right side going over, unless you have a fear of heights. Don't expect the driver to speak English, but it shouldn't be a problem. Stanley is easily identified by all the tourists with shorts and white socks (and shopping bags).

www.citybus.com.hk has a nice searching feature that shows stops enroute. From your starting point, for example, Central Exchange Square, specify Southern District, Stanley/Ma Hang Area as the destination. What's somewhat humorously called Stanley plaza is the final destination.
Rich

Thanks for the reply rjh. I feel much better having some idea of where I am going.

Cheers
Michelle

When my wife and I were there last year we found the bus system very easy to use.

Our first trip was from the top of the Peak to central and after that one it was easy. Just make sure that you have sufficient change.

I wouldn't *expect* anyone to speak english in HK but every sign is in both languages so it will not be an issue. I think you will find that english is not as widely spoken as you would think.

HK is a great city. Have a wonderful trip.

Keith

Michelle, I meant to ask where you will be staying. No need to trudge over to Central if you're staying in Pacific Place, for instance.
Rich

[This message has been edited by rjh (edited 10-10-2002).]

If you're going to be in Hong Kong for a few days and planning on travelling around a bit on public transport, you might consider buying an Octopus card.

It's a stored value card, accepted on MTR, KCR trains, Airport Express, buses, ferries...then you never have to worry about fossicking about for correct change, just zap the card on the reader on your way in.

You can buy them at any MTR station, or at the Airport Express Customer Service Centres at the airport station on your way in. There are several different types for sale, some geared to tourists with a certain number of specific journies pre-programmed, some just a standard stored value that works on everything. There is a refundable deposit of HK$50 on the card, and you can also add value to the card at any MTR station, or at many local shops like 7-11 and Park'n'Shop.

If you're going to be hopping on and off trains, buses and ferries, you'll love how easy this little card makes your day...

Rich, I am staying at the Conrad (of course!) and so I guess I can pick the bus up closer to where I am.

MrsDrD thanks for the info on the Octopus Card...I was thinking of using it. The issue I have is that I am spending 2 individual days in Hong Kong on either side of Singapore. Anyway, I will work it out once I get there.

Once again I really appreciate the advice I get from everyone.

Cheers
Michelle


[This message has been edited by mmmmmmmish (edited 10-11-2002).]

Ok, you can get the 6X at its stop #3, on Queensway. It corresponds to Admiralty MTR.

Get a non-tourist Octopus card to handle the dates issue you mentioned (assuming you're coming back to HKG on a future trip). Otherwise, I'd just buy ride-by- ride. Most of your travel will likely be on the the MTR anyway.
Rich

[This message has been edited by rjh (edited 10-11-2002).]

One thing to remember on the buses is that if you pay trip by trip in cash no change is given, so you will need to keep a few coins. I would say get the Octopus - you will probably save money (provided you remember to exchange it back at the airport to get the HK$50 deposit back) because otherwise you will end up overpaying for some busrides through lack of change. It also saves a lot of time buying tickets at the MTR stations.

To go to Stanley I would always take the plain #6 since it is the only one which goes over the top of the hill rather than through the tunnel (6A, 6X, 260). The advantage of getting it from the start of the line at Exchange Square is that you can dash on first and get the front seat upstairs which is definitely the best place for the view.

If you do get it from Pacific Place (where the Conrad is) you simply need to cross over Queensway (the big road out the front of the Mall) - the stops for all the Stanley buses are on the road itself, not in the undercover area (it will be obvious what I mean when you are there).

The bus drivers do generally have some basic English, but Stanley Market is pretty obviously where everyone gets off. Some of the #6... services terminate at the market, and some go on only one or two stops - Stanley is on a peninsula, so it isn't possible to go much further - the Prison is the only thing further out!

The Citybus site (above) is pretty good.

[This message has been edited by christep (edited 10-14-2002).]

Riding up top in the front is definitely the way to go...

One question about bus fares in Hong Kong that I was never sure about when I was there in March--on the buses, I noticed that the fares are adjusted based on the route length--does this also mean that different fares are charged depending on how far you travel (e.g. if you get off somewhere in the middle of the route)?

In general all bus fares in HK are based solely on where you get on the bus. So sometimes it makes a significant difference which service you get on when more than one runs between the same two intermediate points. You should try to get on a bus near the end of its route rather than one near the beginning, if you have a choice.

However, there are a few exceptions to this where some individual routes have what are known as "stage fares". You can only access these using your Octopus card and you represent it to the card reader when you get off as well as when you get on. The bus company websites tell you about them, and also the posters which are on the bus stops for that route.

One example is the number 6 route to Stanley. It is more or less the only way for people to get by bus from Central to Wong Nai Chung Gap and the area around the Cricket Club, Parkview, etc. But this is only halfway to Stanley, so there is a stage fare on the number 6 if you get out at the stops up Wong Nai Chung Gap Road - from memory I think you save about 30% of the fare.