Travel & Culture - Navigating City Public Transport Systems (Intermediate)

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

Let's discuss using public transport in cities!

What are the common types of public transport you might find in a large city (e.g., metro, tram, bus)? What are the pros and cons of each?
How do you typically find information about public transport routes, schedules, and fares when in a new city? What resources are most helpful?
Describe a situation where you found navigating a city's public transport system challenging or particularly easy. What factors contributed to that experience?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary)

Here are some key terms and phrases for navigating city public transport systems at an intermediate level.

1. Metro / Subway / Underground (noun): An electric railway system, typically in a city, that runs in tunnels below ground.

Example: "The city's Metro system is very efficient for getting around quickly."

2. Tram / Streetcar (noun): A public transport vehicle, typically powered by electricity from overhead wires, that runs on rails laid in the road.

Example: "Taking the Tram offers a scenic view of the city streets."

3. Interchange / Transfer (noun/verb): A point where passengers can change from one mode of transport or route to another. / The act of changing.

Example: "You'll need to Transfer at the next station to get on the Blue Line." / "This station is a major Interchange for several bus and metro lines."

4. Travel card / Pass (noun phrase): A card that allows unlimited travel on public transport within a certain area for a specific period (e.g., daily, weekly).

Example: "Buying a weekly Travel card is more economical if you plan to use public transport frequently."

5. Validate your ticket (verb phrase): To make your ticket officially usable, often by stamping it in a machine or tapping it on a reader, especially before or upon boarding.

Example: "Don't forget to Validate your ticket at the machine on the platform before getting on the tram."

6. Journey planner (noun phrase): An online tool or app that helps you plan your route using public transport, showing times, routes, and connections.

Example: "I used a Journey planner app to find the best way to get to the museum by bus and metro."

Activity 3: Reading - Alex's City Adventure 📖

Read this story about Alex navigating a new city's public transport.

Alex arrived in a bustling European city, eager to explore its sights. He decided to rely on public transport. His first step was to visit a tourist information office where he picked up a city map that included public transport routes. He also downloaded a popular Journey planner app on his phone. His hotel was near a Metro station. To get to the famous art gallery, the Journey planner suggested taking the Red Line Metro two stops and then making an Interchange to a Tram. He purchased a 3-day Travel card at the station, which seemed more economical than buying single tickets for each trip. Before boarding the Metro, he noticed a sign reminding passengers to Validate your ticket if they had single-use paper ones, but his Travel card just needed to be tapped on the reader at the gate.

The Metro ride was quick. At the Interchange station, clear signs directed him to the Tram platform. He boarded Tram number 5, which took him directly to the gallery. Later that day, he wanted to visit a market in a different part of the city. The app showed a bus route, so he found the designated bus stop. He noticed some locals had paper tickets they were stamping in a small machine on the bus. Since he had his Travel card, he just showed it to the driver. Alex found that with a little planning using the map and the Journey planner, and by observing how locals used the system, navigating the city's public transport was quite manageable and an affordable way to see everything.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What two resources did Alex use to help plan his journeys on public transport?
What type of ticket did Alex buy, and why did he choose it?
Describe Alex's journey to the art gallery, including the types of transport and if he needed to make an Interchange.
What did Alex observe about how other passengers used paper tickets on the bus? Why didn't he need to do the same?
What was Alex's overall experience with the city's public transport system?

Activity 4: Role Play - Asking for Transport Advice 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Ms. Chloe Dubois (Tourist), and the other is Mr. Ben Carter (Local Resident).

Ms. Chloe Dubois: Excuse me, I'm trying to figure out the best way to get to the National Museum. Is the Metro the best option from here?

Mr. Ben Carter: The Metro is quick, yes. You'd take the Blue Line three stops to Central Station, then it's a short walk. However, the Tram, route number 12, also goes directly there and offers a more scenic journey.

Ms. Chloe Dubois: A scenic Tram ride sounds nice! Do I need to buy a special ticket for the Tram, or can I use a general Travel card?

Mr. Ben Carter: If you have a day Travel card or a weekly pass, it's usually valid on both the Metro and Trams. Just be sure to Validate your ticket if it's a single paper ticket purchased from a machine before you board the tram.

Ms. Chloe Dubois: I bought a 24-hour Travel card. So I just tap it somewhere?

Mr. Ben Carter: For the Metro, you tap at the entry gates. On the Tram, there's usually a reader inside near the doors. Alternatively, you can use a Journey planner app on your phone; it often gives real-time updates and platform information for any necessary Interchange.

Ms. Chloe Dubois: That's very helpful. So, if I wanted to go to the Botanical Gardens later, would I need to make an Interchange from the museum area?

Mr. Ben Carter: Yes, from the museum, you'd take Tram 12 back to Central Station, and from there, Bus number 45 goes to the Botanical Gardens. Central Station is a major Interchange point.

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What two transport options did Mr. Carter suggest for getting to the National Museum? What was the difference between them?
What advice did Mr. Carter give Ms. Dubois about using her Travel card and validating tickets?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Planning a Route ✍️

Help Sarah (Tourist) complete her part of the dialogue with a Transport Info Officer. Use words and phrases from Activity 2!

Info Officer: Good morning! How can I help you navigate our city's transport today?

Sarah (Tourist): Good morning. I want to go to the Old Port. Is it better to take the or a bus?

Info Officer: From here, the Metro is faster. Take the Yellow Line to Harbour Station. You won't need to make an .

Sarah (Tourist): Okay, Yellow Line to Harbour Station. I bought this daily . Do I need to before I get on the Metro?

Info Officer: With that travel card, you just need to tap it on the reader at the gates. For single paper tickets, validation is required.

Sarah (Tourist): Got it. I also want to visit the City Gardens later. I used a online, and it suggested taking a from the Old Port. Is that correct?

Info Officer: Yes, Tram number 7 runs from a stop near the Old Port directly to the City Gardens. It's a lovely route.

Sarah (Tourist): Wonderful! Thank you for your help.

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨