City Transport in Britain

Britain has a well developed transport service. If includes buses, coaches, trains, planes, etc. Most buses in Britain are operate by the local Council. Others are owned by companies which often receive financial help from the Government.

On many routes you will see both single-decker and double-decker buses. There is often only one man in change of the bus and you pay him the fare when you get on. Some buses have a conductor as well as a driver.

If you want to catch a bus, you wait at a bus stop. Here there's a board with the routes, numbers and times of buses. But be careful. Sometimes there's a sign “Reguest stop” which means that buses only stop if you put out (hold out) your hand.

If there are other people waiting at the bus stop you must queue behind them and allow them to get on the bus first. (Some people believe that the British habit of queuing first began with the introduction of public transport).

Taxis in London are usually big black vehicles. Sometimes they may be ordinary cars with a “Taxi” sign on top. You can find taxis at taxi ranks (places where taxis wait), at airports, station, and in the center of town. You can also telephone for a taxi or stop one in the street.

A taxi can be cheaper than the bus fares for two or more people. However, long journeys by taxi are expensive - be careful at ports and airports. You can ask the driver to give you an idea of the cost before you leave. Drivers must charge the metered fare for all journeys within London (including Heathrow) regardless of duration and distance. Taxi drivers expect to be tipped for all journeys.

Act out the dialogues and answer the questions that follow as fully as possible.

Asking the way

Wally: Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the city hospital?

Sally: Sure, the hospital is on Tenth Street, about 20 minutes away by foot. Go south on this street two blocks

           until you come to the stop light.

Wally: Go south two blocks to the stop light.

Sally: Correct, then, turn left and go three more blocks, until you come to the end of the road. A park will be

           in front of you.

Wally: Turn left and go for three blocks to the park.

Sally: Right, then turn right again and go seven blocks, to Lipton Avenue.

Wally: Turn right and go seven blocks to Lipton Avenue.

Sally: Next, turn left on Lipton Avenue and go two blocks. The hospital is on your left, across from the baseball

          stadium.

Wally: OK, let me see if I’ve got this straight. Go south on this street for two blocks to the stop light. Turn left at

           the light and go three blocks to the park. Turn right at the park and go seven blocks to Lipton Avenue. At

           Lipton Avenue turn right and…

Sally: No, turn left on Lipton Avenue.

Wally: OK, turn left on Lipton Avenue, the hospital is two blocks down, on my left.

Sally: You got it.

Wally: Thanks.

EslPodcast 80 - Asking for Directions

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I went to Vancouver for a meeting this week. I have always liked Vancouver, and on top of that, my cousin Dominick just moved there. I got in touch with him and he invited me over to see his new place. On the way over, though, I got a little lost. I knew I was in the right area, but I was turned around. He lived in an apartment over an old bakery and I couldn't find it.

I stopped a man who was walking by to ask for directions.

Lucy: Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the Cross Bakery building?

Man: The Cross Bakery building? Oh sure. You're actually walking in the opposite direction.

Lucy: Oh, you're kidding! I thought I was heading east.

Man: No, east is the other direction . To get to the Bakery, you need to turn around and go three blocks to Broadway. When you get to the intersection of Broadway and Elm, you hang a left. Go straight down that street for half a block and then you'll see the building on your left.

Lucy: Okay, let me see if I've got that. I need to go down Elm until I hit Broadway, then I make a left and the building is on my left hand side. Is that right?

Man: Yeah, you've got it. Do you want me to show you the way?

Lucy: Thanks for the offer, but I think I've got it. Hopefully, I won't get lost again on my way there!

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