An Explosion of Passes

New and enhanced passes have cropped up at various Asian and South Pacific destinations.

Visitors to Perth, Australia, can now buy a new Trans-Perth Sightseers Ticket that offers a combination of unlimited bus, train and ferry service for about $2.60 a day. Or you can get a five-day pass for about $11.

With the pass you also get a discount-coupon booklet for various sightseeing attractions, including river cruises, golf courses, theme parks and museums.

The pass has to be bought in Perth. You can get more information from Australian Tourism Commission, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1200, Los Angeles 90067; (213) 552-1988.

In Singapore the Singapore Explorer Pass allows unlimited travel on the two major bus systems and comes with a handy brochure/map detailing places of interest along the various routes. In addition, ticket holders now also get souvenirs from 10 attractions along these routes as well as assorted discounts on admissions, shopping, etc.

These attractions, which also sell the Explorer Pass, include such sites as the Chinese/Japanese Gardens, Instant Asia Cultural Show, Jurong Bird Park, Peranakan Place, Raffles Hotel, Singapore Cable Car, Science Centre, Mandai Orchids Garden, Sentosa Island (with various leisure activities/sites, including a World Insectarium and Maritime Museum) and Zoological Gardens.

This ticket has to be bought in Singapore. A one-day pass costs less than $2.50, with a three-day pass costing around $5.75.

Transit passengers at the Singapore Airport can also get free two-hour motor-coach tours of the city under the combined auspices of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, Singapore Airlines and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. The tours leave twice a day, at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

For more information contact the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board at 8484 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 510, Beverly Hills 90211; phone (213) 852-1901.

In Japan, one-day passes are available for unlimited rides on certain subway systems in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. The Tokyo subway pass costs about $4.30. The Osaka pass, which also includes some bus and tram routes, costs about $5.70. The price of the Kyoto pass, which also includes some bus routes, is about $6.35.

These passes have to be bought in the Japanese cities.

More information is available from the Japan National Tourist Organization, 624 S. Grand Ave., Suite 2640, Los Angeles 90017; phone (213) 623-1952.