Back to Situations
Bus Route Inquiry

Clarifying Travel Time

A passenger asks the driver or another passenger about the estimated travel time to a certain stop or destination.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Sarah (Female)
Excuse me, driver. Could you tell me how long it usually takes to get to the City Center stop from here?
2
John (Male)
Hmm, the City Center? Let's see. Without heavy traffic, it's usually about 25 to 30 minutes.
3
Sarah (Female)
Ah, okay. And what about during rush hour? Say, around 5 PM?
4
John (Male)
Rush hour can be a different story. You're probably looking at 40 to 45 minutes, maybe even an hour if it's really bad.
5
Sarah (Female)
Wow, that's quite a jump. Is there a particular part of the route that gets most congested?
6
John (Male)
Usually, the area around the bridge and the main intersection before the City Center gets pretty backed up.
7
Sarah (Female)
Got it. So it's best to plan for more time, especially later in the afternoon. Thanks for the info!
8
John (Male)
No problem. Enjoy your ride!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

Excuse me

A polite phrase used to get someone's attention, especially when interrupting, like starting a conversation with a stranger on a bus.

Usually

An adverb meaning 'in most cases' or 'normally,' used to describe typical situations, such as normal travel times.

Traffic

Refers to the vehicles moving on roads; 'heavy traffic' means many cars causing delays.

Rush hour

The busiest times of day for traffic, usually morning and evening when people go to or from work.

Congested

Describes roads or areas full of traffic, making movement slow; similar to 'jammed up.'

Backed up

Means traffic is stopped or moving very slowly due to congestion, often used in driving contexts.

Intersection

A place where two or more roads cross, often a point where traffic gets busy.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Excuse me, driver. Could you tell me how long it usually takes to get to the City Center stop from here?

This is a polite way to ask for directions or information on public transport. It uses 'Could you tell me' for a formal request and 'how long it takes' to inquire about duration; useful when starting a conversation with a bus driver.

Without heavy traffic, it's usually about 25 to 30 minutes.

This sentence gives an estimate under normal conditions. 'Without heavy traffic' sets a condition, and 'about 25 to 30 minutes' uses a range for approximate time; practice this to respond to time questions in travel scenarios.

And what about during rush hour? Say, around 5 PM?

A follow-up question to ask about variations. 'What about during' introduces a specific time, and 'Say, around 5 PM' gives an example; it's useful for clarifying details in conversations about schedules.

Rush hour can be a different story. You're probably looking at 40 to 45 minutes, maybe even an hour if it's really bad.

This explains changes in time due to conditions. 'Can be a different story' means it varies, 'You're probably looking at' suggests an estimate, and 'if it's really bad' adds a conditional; great for describing uncertainties in travel.

Is there a particular part of the route that gets most congested?

This asks for specific details. 'Particular part' means specific section, and 'gets most congested' uses present simple for habitual actions; use this to get more information about a journey.

Thanks for the info! No problem. Enjoy your ride!

These are polite closings. 'Thanks for the info' thanks for information, 'No problem' is a casual response to thanks, and 'Enjoy your ride' wishes well; essential for ending helpful conversations naturally.