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Buying a Ticket/Pass

A passenger at a ticket counter or vending machine needs to purchase a single ticket or a daily/weekly pass for public transport.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
John (Male)
Excuse me, I'd like to buy a single ticket, please.
2
Lisa (Female)
Certainly. Where are you heading to?
3
John (Male)
Just to the city center. Is there a daily pass available?
4
Lisa (Female)
Yes, we have a day pass for 7 dollars, which offers unlimited rides for 24 hours. A single ticket to the city center is 2.50.
5
John (Male)
Hmm, I'll probably be making a few trips today. I'll take the day pass then.
6
Lisa (Female)
Alright, that'll be 7 dollars, please. Cash or card?
7
John (Male)
Card, please. Here you go.
8
Lisa (Female)
Thank you. And here’s your pass and receipt. Have a good day!
9
John (Male)
You too, thanks!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

Excuse me

A polite phrase used to get someone's attention or interrupt politely, common when starting a conversation at a ticket counter.

single ticket

A ticket for one trip only, also called a one-way ticket, useful for short journeys on public transport.

daily pass

A type of ticket that allows unlimited travel for one day, often cheaper for multiple trips, also known as a day pass.

heading to

Means 'going to' or 'traveling to' a place, a casual way to ask about someone's destination.

unlimited rides

Means you can take as many trips as you want without extra cost, ideal for busy travel days.

cash or card

A common question for payment options, where 'cash' is money and 'card' is using a credit/debit card.

receipt

A printed record of your purchase, important for proof if there's an issue with your ticket.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Excuse me, I'd like to buy a single ticket, please.

This is a polite way to start a request at a ticket counter. 'I'd like to' is a formal way to say 'I want to,' and 'please' makes it courteous. Use it when buying transport tickets.

Where are you heading to?

A natural question to ask a passenger's destination. 'Heading to' is informal for 'going to.' Useful for service workers to clarify travel needs.

Is there a daily pass available?

This asks if a specific ticket option exists. 'Available' means ready for purchase. Good for inquiring about options before deciding.

Yes, we have a day pass for 7 dollars, which offers unlimited rides for 24 hours.

This explains a ticket's benefits. 'Which offers' is a relative clause adding details. Use it to describe products or services clearly.

I'll probably be making a few trips today. I'll take the day pass then.

Shows decision-making based on plans. 'Probably' expresses uncertainty, and 'then' connects the reason to the choice. Practical for explaining why you choose something.

Alright, that'll be 7 dollars, please. Cash or card?

'That'll be' is a contraction for 'that will be,' used for stating the total cost. This is a standard way to ask for payment in shops or counters.

Thank you. And here’s your pass and receipt. Have a good day!

A polite closing with thanks and well-wishes. 'Here’s' is short for 'here is.' Use this to end transactions positively and build good interactions.