Vocabulary [BUS]: Bus Journey: Handy Words to Navigate Public Transit

Teaching Material

Riding the bus is an essential part of city travel, whether you are heading to work, school, or exploring new places. Before boarding, you may need to check the bus schedule or confirm the route you plan to take. Make sure to have the correct fare or transit card ready, and approach the driver politely if you have any questions. During crowded hours, it helps to stay alert and hold onto a handrail for balance.If you are unsure of where to get off, do not hesitate to ask another passenger. Many people are happy to guide you, especially if you look a bit lost. Being courteous can make the trip more pleasant for everyone on board. Once you find a seat, be mindful of those who may need it more, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.In some cities, you might have to transfer buses to reach your final stop. In that case, remember to keep your ticket or pass within reach. Pay attention to any announcements, signs, or maps inside the bus to avoid missing your destination. Planning ahead and staying informed will help you travel with ease. Whether you are a daily commuter or a tourist, a bus ride can be a chance to observe local life and practice your English in real-world situations. Enjoy the journey!

Alternatives

Let's take a look at the vocabularies for each of the sentences above:

1. Riding the bus is an essential part of city travel.
• essential (adjective) - very important or necessary
• crucial - Use 'crucial' to emphasize a key factor in achieving something or avoiding failure. It’s appropriate in both informal and formal contexts when highlighting something of utmost importance.
• vital - Choose 'vital' when stressing that something is absolutely necessary for success or continued existence. It often appears in discussions about health, processes, or fundamental requirements.
2. Before boarding, you may need to check the bus schedule.
• boarding (verb) - getting on a vehicle, such as a bus or train
• entering - Use 'entering' in everyday contexts to describe going into a space or vehicle. It is straightforward, for example, 'We are entering the subway car now.' It stresses the act of moving inside.
• getting on - Choose 'getting on' as a casual, phrasal verb form of boarding. It’s commonly used in spoken English, such as, 'I’m getting on the bus right now.' This phrase highlights a more informal tone.
3. Before boarding, you may need to check the bus schedule or confirm the route.
• confirm (verb) - to check or make certain
• verify - Use 'verify' to suggest a thorough checking of facts or details, often in formal or official contexts. For example, 'She verified the flight number before leaving for the airport.'
• make sure - Choose 'make sure' in casual or conversational contexts when emphasizing a personal responsibility to check something, such as, 'I need to make sure the bus still stops here.'
4. Make sure to have the correct fare or transit card ready.
• fare (noun) - the money you pay to ride a bus or other form of transportation
• ticket cost - Use 'ticket cost' to plainly describe how much money is needed for a ride. It emphasizes the price aspect, for instance, 'What’s the ticket cost for the bus to downtown?'
• fee - Choose 'fee' to refer to money paid for a service or privilege. It’s slightly more formal, for example, 'The service fee covers additional perks on board.'
5. Approach the driver politely if you have any questions.
• approach (verb) - to move closer or come near, often to speak to someone
• go up to - Use 'go up to' in casual contexts to describe physically moving closer to someone for conversation. For instance, 'I went up to the attendant to ask for directions.'
• come over to - Choose 'come over to' when inviting someone to move from a place to another, or describing your movement. It implies a friendly gesture, such as, 'He came over to me to offer help.'
6. During crowded hours, it helps to stay alert and hold onto a handrail.
• crowded (adjective) - full of people, leaving little or no space
• packed - Use 'packed' informally to stress a high number of people in a small space. For example, 'The bus was packed with commuters this morning.' It emphasizes tight conditions.
• busy - Choose 'busy' to describe situations where many people are around or lots of activity is happening. For instance, 'It’s a busy time on the bus route just before noon.'
7. During crowded hours, it helps to stay alert and hold onto a handrail.
• alert (adjective) - paying attention or being watchful
• attentive - Use 'attentive' to emphasize focused listening or watching. For example, 'He is always attentive to sudden stops on the bus.' It highlights careful awareness of surroundings.
• vigilant - Choose 'vigilant' when you want to stress the need for caution and readiness to act. For instance, 'You have to be vigilant when traveling alone late at night.'
8. Being courteous can make the trip more pleasant for everyone on board.
• courteous (adjective) - polite and respectful
• polite - Use 'polite' in any context to describe someone who observes social manners. For example, 'She was polite when asking if the seat was taken.' It’s very common and straightforward.
• respectful - Choose 'respectful' to emphasize showing consideration for others’ feelings or rules. For instance, 'He was respectful when talking to the elderly passenger.' It highlights regard for someone’s position or comfort.
9. In some cities, you might have to transfer buses to reach your final stop.
• transfer (verb) - to switch from one bus or route to another
• change buses - Use 'change buses' in casual contexts to mean leaving one bus line to take another. For instance, 'We have to change buses at the station to get downtown.' It is straightforward and easy to understand.
• switch lines - Choose 'switch lines' when referring specifically to moving between different bus or train routes. For example, 'I usually switch lines near the city center to save time.'
10. Pay attention to any announcements, signs, or maps inside the bus.
• announcement (noun) - a public statement or message given verbally or through speakers
• notice - Use 'notice' to describe a short piece of information, often in written form. For example, 'I read the notice on the bus that said the route was changing.'
• public message - Choose 'public message' when emphasizing the fact that many people hear or see the information. It fits broader contexts, such as, 'A public message was broadcast for all riders.'
11. Whether you are a daily commuter or a tourist, a bus ride can be a chance to observe local life.
• observe (verb) - to watch or notice something carefully
• notice - Use 'notice' to show that you become aware of something or someone. For instance, 'Did you notice the new bus design this morning?' It’s common and direct.
• see - Choose 'see' in everyday speech when drawing attention to something visually. It’s very general, e.g., 'You can see different neighborhoods along this route.'