Travel & Culture - Buying Bus Tickets

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up)

Let's talk about buying bus tickets!

Where can you usually buy bus tickets? (Example: online, at a station)
What information do you need to give when buying a ticket?
Have you ever bought a bus ticket? Was it easy or difficult?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary)

Here are some important words for buying bus tickets!

1. Ticket: A paper or digital pass that allows you to travel on the bus.

Example: "I need to buy a Ticket to London."

2. Fare: The price you pay for a ticket.

Example: "What is the Fare for a child's ticket?"

3. One-way: A ticket for a journey to a destination, but not back.

Example: "I need a One-way ticket to Manchester, please."

4. Round-trip / Return: A ticket for a journey to a destination and back again.

Example: "A Round-trip ticket is usually cheaper than two one-way tickets."

5. Ticket Counter / Office: The place at a station where you can buy tickets from a person.

Example: "Let's go to the Ticket Counter to get our tickets."

Activity 3: Reading - Alex Buys a Ticket 📖

Read this story about Alex buying a bus ticket.

Alex wanted to visit his grandparents in a nearby town. He went to the bus station to buy his Ticket. He found the Ticket Counter and waited in line. When it was his turn, he told the agent, "I'd like a ticket to Oakhaven, please." The agent asked, "One-way or Round-trip?" Alex thought for a moment. He wasn't sure when he would come back, so he said, "Just a One-way ticket for now, please." The agent told him the Fare was $15. Alex paid with his card. The agent printed his Ticket and gave it to him. "The bus leaves at 2:00 PM from Platform 3," she said. Alex thanked her and went to find Platform 3. He was happy he got his ticket easily.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

Where did Alex go to buy his bus ticket?
What kind of ticket did Alex decide to buy (One-way or Round-trip)?
What was the Fare for Alex's ticket?
What information did the agent give Alex about his bus besides the ticket?
Why did Alex choose a one-way ticket?

Activity 4: Role Play - At the Ticket Counter 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Sarah (Passenger), and the other is Mr. Jones (Ticket Agent).

Sarah (Passenger): Good morning. I'd like to buy a bus Ticket to Brighton, please.

Mr. Jones (Ticket Agent): Good morning. Certainly. Will that be a One-way or a Round-trip ticket?

Sarah (Passenger): A Round-trip, please. I plan to come back on Sunday.

Mr. Jones (Ticket Agent): Alright. The Fare for a round-trip to Brighton is $30.

Sarah (Passenger): Okay, that sounds good. Can I pay by credit card?

Mr. Jones (Ticket Agent): Yes, we accept all major credit cards. Just insert your card here, please.

Sarah (Passenger): (Inserts card) There you go.

Mr. Jones (Ticket Agent): Thank you. Here is your Ticket. Your bus departs at 10:15 AM from Bay 5. The return journey details are also on the ticket.

Sarah (Passenger): Great! Thank you very much. Is this Ticket Counter the only place to buy them?

Mr. Jones (Ticket Agent): You can also buy tickets online or at the self-service machines over there. But the Ticket Counter is always here to help!

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What kind of Ticket did Sarah want?
What was the Fare for Sarah's journey?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Ticket Talk ✍️

Help Tom (Passenger) complete his part of the dialogue. Ticket Agent (Agent) will speak first. Use words from Activity 2!

Agent: Good afternoon! How can I help you today?

Tom (Passenger): Hi! I'd like to buy a to Riverside, please.

Agent: Certainly. Will that be a one-way or a round-trip?

Tom (Passenger): Just for now, thank you.

Agent: Okay. The total will be $12.

Tom (Passenger): Can I pay with cash at this ?

Agent: Yes, cash is fine. Here is your ticket.

Tom (Passenger): If I wanted a ticket next time, would it be cheaper?

Agent: Usually, yes, a round-trip is a bit cheaper than two singles.

Tom (Passenger): Good to know. Thank you!

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨