LONDON TRAFFIC

            London is so large that visitors must learn to use buses and the underground to get about. London taxis are too expensive for any but the rich. You can get а mар of the underground and the bus routes at any ticket office. The word «Under­ground» across a large circle shows you where the stations are. The London underground is called the «tube».

            Bus stops are marked clearly. In the suburbs buses do not stop unless there are passengers who wish to get on or off. These stops are marked «Request Stops».

             Inside some buses you will see the notice: «Please, state your destination clearly and have the exact fare ready». It is easy enough to tell the conductor where you want to go to, but not always possible to have the exact fare. The conductor will always give you the change.

             The London buses are very large. They have seats both up­stairs and downstairs. English children like to sit on the front seats of a big London bus. They can see everything that is hap­pening in the streets.

Here are some of the things you may hear on a bus in Lon­don:

« Fares, please.»

« Fourpence, please.»

« Full up inside; plenty of seats on top.»

« Standing room only.»

«No, sir, this bus does not go to Victoria Station. *

«You want a number 11.»

«No more seats on top; five seats inside.»

            In Great Britain traffic keeps to the left. Motor-cars, bus­es and cyclists must all keep to the left side of the road. In most other countries traffic keeps to the right. There is heavy traffic in London and you must observe traffic rules.

QUESTIONS:

1. What must visitors of London learn? Why?

2. What can you get at any ticket office?

3. What does the word «Underground» show?

4. How is the London underground called?

5. Which stops are marked «Request Stops»?

6. What will you see inside some buses?

7. What seats have London buses?

8. Why must you observe traffic rules?

VOCABULARY:

expensive — дорогой 

route — маршрут

to mark — обозначать

passenger — пассажир

change — сдача

exact — точный

fare — плата

traffic — движение