GO Cards are the cheapest and most convenient way to use public buses in Bahrain. They are stored-value cards that you can tap on card readers when boarding the bus, and the exact fare will be automatically deducted. GO Cards can be purchased at ticket offices in Manama, Muharraq, and Isa Town, as well as through ticket vending machines in bus terminals, the Bahrain International Airport, and the University of Bahrain. The initial fee for a GO Card is 500 fils, and you can reload it with any amount up to a maximum of BD 50.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | Cheapest way to use buses in Bahrain |
Cost | 500 fils |
Top-up locations | Ticket offices, ticket vending machines, reloading machines in buses |
Top-up amount | Up to BD 50 |
Single trip | 250-275 fils |
Daily cap | 600-700 fils |
Weekly pass | 3 BHD |
Monthly pass | 12-14 BHD |
Discounts | Available for elderly and special needs citizens |
What You'll Learn
Where to buy a GO Card
GO Cards are the simplest and most affordable way to travel around Bahrain by bus. They are stored-value cards that you can use to ride the iconic red public buses in Bahrain. You can buy a GO Card at any of the ticket offices in Manama, Muharraq, and Isa Town. You can also purchase them through the ticket vending machines located in bus terminals, including those in Bahrain International Airport and the University of Bahrain.
The first time you buy a GO Card, there is an initial fee of 500 fils. After that, you can reload your card with any amount up to a maximum credit of BD 50. You can reload your card at the ticket offices, ticket vending machines, or the reloading machines in buses.
GO Cards offer several benefits to commuters. For one, you can board a bus and reach your destination faster without having to worry about carrying the exact change for your bus fare. The cards also allow you to transfer to another bus and save money, as "end-to-end" journeys are cheaper. Additionally, GO Cards have daily capping, so once your total fare reaches the daily cap of 600 fils, you don't have to pay for additional trips for the rest of the day.
There are also weekly and monthly pass options available for GO Cards. The weekly pass costs BHD 3 and offers unlimited trips for seven days. The monthly pass costs BHD 12 (or BHD 14, according to another source) and provides unlimited trips for 28 days. You can purchase these passes at the main bus terminals in Isa Town, Manama, or Muharraq.
The Value of Half a Bahrain Dinar in Kenya
You may want to see also
How to use a GO Card
GO Cards are the cheapest and most convenient way to use public buses in Bahrain. They are stored-value cards that you can use to ride the bus, and they are widely used in the country. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a GO Card:
Purchasing a GO Card
You can buy a GO Card from the offices in Isa Town, Muharraq, and Manama, or from vending machines in bus terminals, including Bahrain International Airport and the University of Bahrain. The card costs 500 fils as an initial fee.
Topping Up Your GO Card
After paying the initial fee, you can top up your GO Card with any amount up to a maximum of 50 BHD. You can top up your card at the same places where you purchased it—in the ticket offices or vending machines. You can also top up your card using the reloading machines inside the buses.
Using Your GO Card
Using your GO Card is simple. When you board a bus, tap your card on the GO Card readers. The system will automatically deduct 250-275 fils, which is the fare for a single trip. Once your total fare reaches the daily cap of 600-700 fils, you won't be charged for any additional trips for the rest of the day. This is called a daily cap, and it ensures that you get the best value for your money.
Passes for Frequent Travellers
If you plan to use the bus frequently, you can purchase weekly or monthly passes. A weekly pass costs 3 BHD and provides unlimited travel for seven days, while a monthly pass costs 12-14 BHD and offers unlimited travel for 28 days. These passes are excellent options if you take the bus regularly and want to save money on your transportation costs.
Checking Your Balance
You can check your GO Card balance at any ticket vending machine, with your bus driver, or at any manned bus terminal ticket office. This way, you can always keep track of your balance and ensure you have enough credit for your trips.
Personalising Your GO Card
If you want to personalise your GO Card, you can do so at a bus terminal manned ticket office. You will need to surrender your anonymous card and pay an additional 500 fils to receive a personalised card with your name, address, contact details, and photograph. Personalised cards offer the added benefit of being returned to you if lost and found by someone else.
By following these steps, you can make the most of your GO Card and enjoy convenient and affordable bus travel in Bahrain.
Becoming a Doctor in Bahrain: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
GO Card benefits
GO Cards are the simplest and cheapest way to use Bahrain's bus system. They are stored-value cards that you can use to ride public buses in Bahrain. Here are some of the benefits of having a GO Card:
Auto-Deduction of Fares
As soon as you board a bus, simply tap your card on the GO Card reader on board. The system will automatically deduct the fare for a single trip.
Daily Capping
Once your total fare reaches the daily cap, you don't have to pay for additional trips for the rest of the day.
Unlimited Trips
You can purchase weekly or monthly passes for unlimited trips. The weekly pass costs BHD 3 and is valid for 7 days, while the monthly pass costs BHD 12 and is valid for 28 days.
Convenience
With a GO Card, you can enter a bus, find a seat, and reach your destination more quickly. You don't have to worry about carrying exact change to pay for your bus fare.
Transfers
Transferring to another bus is more affordable with a GO Card, as "end-to-end" journeys are cheaper.
Easy to Purchase and Reload
You can buy GO Cards at any of the ticket offices in Manama, Muharraq, and Isa Town, as well as through ticket vending machines located in bus terminals, Bahrain International Airport, and the University of Bahrain. Reloading your card is also convenient, as you can do it through ticket offices, ticket vending machines, or the reloading machines in buses.
Bahrain Visa: Check Your Expiry Date Easily
You may want to see also
GO Card fares and packages
GO Cards are available for adults, children, seniors, and concession card holders. Seniors and concession card holders can travel at discounted rates, while special needs passengers can travel for free using their Personalized GO Cards.
GO Cards can be purchased at over 680 locations across South East Queensland, including selected retailers, attended Queensland Rail station ticket offices, and fare machines at G:link tram stations, busway stations, and selected bus interchanges (adult cards only). They can also be purchased online or over the phone. The card costs $10 (adult) or $5 (child, concession, senior) as a refundable deposit.
GO Card users can benefit from unlimited trips for 7 or 28 days. Fares are capped daily, and users can save 20% on their fare when travelling during off-peak times. Additionally, pensioner and senior GO Card users who make two journeys in a single day can travel free for the rest of that day. When users make eight GO Card journeys in a week (Monday to Sunday), they travel for half price for the rest of the week.
GO Cards can be topped up online, over the phone, or at one of the 1,600 top-up locations across South East Queensland. Auto top-up can also be activated by linking the GO Card to a credit/debit card.
Bahrain Grand Prix: Schedule, Timings, and More!
You may want to see also
How to check your GO Card balance
GO Cards are a simple and affordable way to use Bahrain's buses. They can be purchased and topped up at ticket offices and vending machines in bus terminals, as well as on buses themselves. They offer both stored cash credit and pass options for unlimited travel over a week or month.
To check your GO Card balance, you have a few options:
- Visit a ticket vending machine located in the bus terminal waiting rooms. Note that in Manama, there is a separate ticket vending building at the end of Bay 3.
- Ask your bus driver to check your balance.
- Enquire at a manned bus terminal ticket office.
These options also allow you to browse current packages and make purchases.
Best Places to Buy Dogs in Bahrain
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You can buy a GO Card from ticket offices in Manama, Muharraq, and Isa Town, or from vending machines in bus terminals, Bahrain International Airport, and the University of Bahrain.
There is an initial fee of 500 fils for a GO Card.
You can tap your GO Card on the card readers when you board the bus. The system will automatically deduct 250-275 fils, which is the fare for a single trip.
With a GO Card, you can enjoy riding the bus to your preferred destination without the hassle of carrying cash. You can also transfer from one bus to another, as the cards have a daily capping feature.
There are two types of GO Card passes: Top Up +GO, which is stored cash credit; and the Weekly and Monthly passes, which offer unlimited travel for seven or 28 days, respectively.