There are plenty of ways to get around. Most cities and towns have an efficient mass transit system; that is, they have buses or trains to get you where you need to go.
Often, you may need to take a bus to the train station. Sometimes it can be complicated to figure out which bus or train will take you where, but there is help! Most cities have a special department just to provide that information. You can call the transit company to ask. When you call the company, you will need to tell them where you are and where you need to go. You can also ask if you need exact change for the bus. Drivers usually can’t accept cash.
Transit Office: Good afternoon. Unionville Transit System. This is Stanley speaking.
Commuter: Hi. I need some travel information. I need to go to 52nd Street and Broadway. I live on 8th Street, near Fifth Avenue.
Transit Office: Well, you can take the B12 bus to Mercer Street. Then you'll have to catch the B9. You can take the subway, too.
Commuter: I live near a bus stop, so I prefer to take the bus. What time does it come?
Transit Office: The buses run about every 15 minutes. Bus schedules are posted at the bus stop. You can also check our website.
Commuter: How much does it cost?
Transit Office: You’ll need $2 in change. The driver won’t take dollar bills, and he won’t give you change. Make sure you have exact change.
Commuter: Okay. Thanks for the help. Have a good day.
| Tip 1 |
Most bus systems offer a transfer. If you need to take more than one bus to get somewhere, you can get a free transfer to the second bus or train. Ask the driver! |
| Tip 2 |
Many companies have an 800 number. An 800 number is a telephone number that will not be charged on your phone bill. Yay! We like free phone calls! |
Pronunciation Pointer
Even though it looks funny when you write it, the word buses is pronounced busses. In fact, some people spell it with two s’s, just like it’s pronounced. (Sometimes in English a word may have two correct, but different, spellings or pronunciations.)
Have to sounds like hafta in spoken English.
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VOCABULARY
bus stop: the place you must go to wait for a bus (They are several blocks apart. They are usually marked with the bus route and have posted schedules.)
commuter: someone who travels to and from work on the bus or train, or by car
complicated: not easy to understand
efficient: smart and fast
exact change: the correct number of coins
mass transit: a transportation system provided by a city
provide: give
run: come, on a schedule
subway: an underground train system
take/catch the bus or train: get on a bus or train
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