🚆How to take public transit in any city

As cities become more global-oriented, it has become increasingly easier to take public transit in any city. Informational websites, sensible signage design and English are being adopted on transit systems everywhere, to varying degrees. Still, this mental checklist will always remain handy anywhere in the world:

General

We should know:

• The fare system before entering the vehicle

• The opening and closing times of the transit system

• Any system interruptions from their website (they should have an English version)

As we use the system, we should:

• Learn the way-finding system(s) (especially if they use no English)

• Learn the announcement system(s) for stations and stops

Subway / metro trains

We should know:

• At which station and line are we getting on?

• At which station do we want to get off?

• In which direction is the train going?

  • most cities denote this by the terminus

• Which pedestrian exit is the most relevant to the final destination?

  • some stations have multiple exits and can be hundreds of metres apart

Optionally:

• At which station should we transfer?

  • which subway line comes next?

• Is this train car "women only"?

• Is this section for certain people only?

• Do the train cars interconnect?

• Safety and security (panic button) features

Buses / LRT / tram / trolley

• What route(s) do I need to take?

• What are the stop(s) before our stop?