Using Public Transport in English
Use public transport in English. Kiora and Ethan cover the bus, the train and the metro, from buying a ticket to finding your stop.
The lesson
Types of Public Transport
In American cities you can travel by bus, train, subway, or tram. The subway is also called the metro in some places, and it runs underground. A bus stops at a bus stop, while a train or subway stops at a station. Each line usually has a number or a color, so you can find the right one easily.
Buying a Ticket
When you reach the station, you can buy a ticket at a machine or from a person at the window. You can say, "One ticket to downtown, please." If you travel a lot in one day, ask for a day pass because it is cheaper. In many cities you buy a card and simply tap it on the reader when you get on.
Finding Your Way
Before you travel, look at the schedule to see when the next bus or train leaves. If you are not sure which line to take, ask someone, "Which bus goes to the airport?" or "Which platform is for the red line?" Sometimes you cannot go directly, so you make a transfer and change to another line. When your stop is close, get ready and say, "Excuse me, this is my stop."
Asking for Help
Other passengers are often happy to help you if you feel lost. You can ask, "Does this train stop at Central Station?" or "How many stops until the museum?" Stay polite and say "thank you" after they answer. Tip: Take a photo of the route map on your phone, so you can check your stops even when you have no internet.
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Key vocabulary
subway
/ˈsʌbˌweɪ/An underground train system in a city.
“We took the subway because it was faster than the bus.”
Traduction
le métro
platform
/ˈplætˌfɔːrm/The area in a station where you wait for and get on a train.
“The train to Boston leaves from platform 3.”
Traduction
le quai
day pass
/ˈdeɪ ˌpæs/A ticket that lets you travel as much as you want for one day.
“A day pass is a good deal if you ride the bus many times.”
Traduction
un forfait journalier
to tap
/tə ˈtæp/To touch a card on a reader to pay for your trip.
“Just tap your card here when you get on the train.”
Traduction
valider / scanner (sa carte)
schedule
/ˈskedʒuːl/A list of the times when buses or trains arrive and leave.
“According to the schedule, the next bus comes at 9:15.”
Traduction
les horaires
transfer
/ˈtrænsfɜːr/Changing from one bus, train, or line to another during your trip.
“You need to make a transfer at Union Station to reach the airport.”
Traduction
une correspondance
stop
/stɑːp/A place where a bus or train stops so people can get on or off.
“Get off at the next stop and the library is right there.”
Traduction
un arrêt
Test yourself
1. You want to buy a ticket to go downtown. What do you say?
2. Which question asks for the right bus to a place?
3. What is a 'day pass'?
4. You are on the bus and you need to get off soon. What do you say?
5. What does it mean to 'make a transfer'?