Read the information line on transport in San Francisco and say if there is something similar in your city.

Welcome to the San Francisco public transportation information line. San Francisco has a variety of transit options for visitors. For information on ferry crossings In the Bay Area, press 1. For information on MUNI buses and metro services, press 2. For information on the 8ART, Bay Area Rapid Transit train system, including services to San Francisco International airport, press 3. For information on the world-famous cable cars, press 4. For any other information, including bike rental, coach tours, and car rental, please hold for an operator.

You have chosen option 4, San Francisco's historic cable cars have been running since 1873. They provide an unusual and interesting way to see the city with stunning views. There are three lines: California-Van Ness, Powell-Mason, and Powell-Hyde. The cable cars run from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Sunday. At peak times they are approximately every five to ten minutes. Tickets can be bought at special booths or on the car at S3 for a single ride. Tickets are non- transferable. Special one-day and one-week passes are available. You can board at any of the stops indicated with the brown cable-car sign. Cable car riders should hold on tight and take great care when getting on and off.

ACTIVITY

I. Which of the following transport types does the information line describe?

ferries trains bike rental

cruises airplanes coach tours

buses helicopter rides walking tours

metro cable cars car hire

II. Complete the information sheet on cable cars.

TEXT 3

Look at the three timetables for (a) trips to Akatraz and Muir Woods, (b) BART trains to and from San Francisco airport, and (c) Amtrak train services between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

ACTIVITIES

I. Which trip (or trips):

a. is by ferry?

b. runs every day?

c. involves more than one form of transport?

d. provides special transport for people in wheelchairs?

e. offers cheaper fares for the elderly or disabled?

f. offers cheaper tickets for people who travel a lot?

g. allows bicycles?

h. does not allow bicycles?

i. does not operate in bad weather?

j. allows dogs?

II. Match the two halves of these exchanges.

1.Where does the ferry for Alcatraz leave from?

2.Can I take my bicycle on the ferry?

3.How frequent are the ferries?

4.When is the last ferry back?

5.How long does the ferry take?

a) It leaves at 2.15.

b) It takes about 20 minutes.

c) No. they're not allowed.

d) It departs from Pier 41.

e) They leave approximately every 30 minutes.

 

III. Complete this paragraph giving recorded informationon the Alcatraz ferry service.

Ferries for Alcatraz ________ ¹ approximately __________ ² 30 minutes. The first ferry ___________ ³ __________ ⁴ Pier 41 _________⁵ 9:30 a.m., and the last ferry is __________ ⁶ __________ ⁷. Return ferries run throughout the day. The last ferry ___________ ⁸ Alcatraz __________ ⁹ _____________¹⁰ p.m. Services are _______¹¹ except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. You __________ ¹² take bicycles or scooters on to the island.

SPEAKING

Timetable information

I. Work in groups. Half of you are tourists asking about cable cars in San Francisco. The other half will ask about Amtrak services from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Think of questions you can ask a travelinformation officer about:

• times and frequency

• first and last services

• routes

• bicycles, etc.

• facilities (e.g. for disabled people)

II. Work with someone from the other group and take turns to ask and answer each other's questions. To answer the questions you should refer to the texts, but some of the information will not be there, so you will have to think of a likely answer. Return to your groups and compare answers.

III. What is most important for tourists when travelling? Work in groups. Look at the factors that affect a tourist's enjoyment of a journey. Can you add any more?

At the airport	On a train	On a long coach journey	On a four-hour ferry crossing
Quick check-in	Punctuality	A window seat	A private cabin
Good restaurants	Interesting passengers to talk to	On-board toilets	Opportunity to buy tax-free goods
Thorough security check	Comfortable seats	Safe driver	Calm sea

V. Discuss which you think are the most important features for a tourist on each journey. Put them in order.