I actually preferred the simple one-day bus pass, but unfortunately it has been discontinued. Now there's only the combined Subway & Bus One-Day Pass, which costs JPY 1,100 for adults. Although the pass includes the subway, I'm still more used to taking buses when traveling in Kyoto. Many temples, shrines, and smaller attractions in Kyoto are some distance from subway stations, while buses can take you closer to your destination, making it easier to get around on foot.
However, if I'm traveling a longer distance or it's rush hour or a busy sightseeing period, I'll take the subway instead because the roads can get congested. So while this pass isn't as cheap as the old bus-only pass, it at least offers more flexibility. Although it costs more than before, it's still easy to get your money's worth if you're visiting several attractions and taking the bus multiple times that day. And for people who aren't very familiar with Kyoto's buses, this kind of PASS means there's no need to panic too much if you take the wrong bus. It's still quite good.
