Unit I Transport in Ukraine

Read and memorize the following words, words combinations and word-groups:

to run - рухатися, курсувати

schedule - розклад

long-distance coaches - міжміські автобуси

intercity buses - міжміські автобуси

ubiquitous – всюдисущий to bend – згинати

painful - болючий fare – тариф , плата за проїзд

destination – пункт призначення

to yell - кричати demand – вимагання, вимога

fare-collecting assistant - помічник для збору плати за проїзд

Text 1 Ukrainian buses

1. Ukraine is not one of the easiest countries to enter by land, but buses run regularly from as far away as the United Kingdom. A handful of private bus companies operate daily services from Moscow to Kharkiv. National Express runs a regularly scheduled coach service from the UK into Ukraine and other regional cities. Most long-distance coaches arrive at Kyiv first. From there you can catch connecting buses to the smallest cities. The central bus station in Kyiv is located in the city centre.

2. Every Ukrainian town has one or more bus stations where intercity buses come and go. Often — especially in smaller towns — the bus station is right by the train station, but not always. Buses come and go at all hours of the day according to their posted schedules. These include full-size state buses, full-size private buses, and the ubiquitous "marshrutki" (minibuses). Marshrutki are run by private companies and stop wherever passengers request. Marshrutki are the most popular form of public transportation in Ukraine.

3. These minibuses are divided into different shapes and sizes. Nowadays the most common buses are the largest buses (usually yellow), but the smallest minivan type are also very common. The largest buses are far more comfortable for standing. Standing half-bent over someone else's seat can be a painful experience. So, if you are tall, look for minibuses with a high ceiling if it looks like you will have to stand.

4. Passengers pay fare —2 Hryvnia ( 40 U.S. cents), expect for Sevastopol, where you pay upon exiting. In minibuses, you can take your seat first and pass your money to the driver via other passengers. Fare almost never depends on the distance of your destination. If you wait too long to pay, the driver will yell at the passengers. Sometimes you will get a little ticket stub back from the driver or his fare-collecting assistant, but often this formality is ignored.

5. In buses (the state-owned buses) all stops are automatic and do not need to be requested. In minibuses you will need to call out your stop no less than 100 m away.

6. Bus schedules are not posted anywhere. Buses run with intervals of 3-30 minutes (5-10 is most common). Main streets have multiple bus routes along them, so Ukrainians typically ask passengers by for bus info or ask the driver as they get on the bus if it will take them to such-and-such a street. Most buses run from about 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., but certain buses may run later depending on the demand for a certain route (e.g. to the train station).

Exercises

Exercise 1. Find where in the text it is said about the points given below. Put down the number of a paragraph.

1. types of buses;

2. shapes and sizes of minibuses;

3. paying bus fare;

4. announcing bus stops

5. bus schedules

Exercise 2. Find the terms in the text which describe the following:

1. Buses which run a regularly scheduled coach service from the UK into Ukraine are called … .

2. The most popular form of public transportation in Ukraine are … .

3. Amount of money which you pay in buses is … .

4. A man who help to collect money is called … .

5. Fare almost never depends on the distance of the place which is called … .

Exercise 3.Answer the following questions. Find answers in the text. Put the number of the paragraph.

1. What companies operate daily services from Moscow to Kharkiv?

2. Where do most long-distance coaches arrive?

3. How do buses come and go at all hours of the day?

4. What is bus fare?

5. In what buses are all stops automatic and do not need to be requested?

6. What intervals do buses run with?

Exercise 4. Say if the following statements are true or false:

1. The central bus station in Kyiv is located in the city centre.

2. Every Ukrainian town has only one bus station where intercity buses come and go.

3. Minibuses are divided into different shapes and sizes.

4. The largest buses are far more uncomfortable for standing.

5. In minibuses you will need to call out your stop no less than 500 m away.

6. Most buses run from about 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m..

Exercise 5. Define the main types of buses.

Exercise 6. Describe the modern buses.

Exercise 7. Explain the difference between buses and minibuses.

Exercise 8. Prove the advantages of the largest buses.

Exercise 9. Discussion points:

1. Advantages and disadvantages of buses and minibuses.

2. The importance of the development of public transportation in Ukraine