Words of the route
Bus work has its own vocabulary for stops, fares and routes. A few of these words appear on displays inside the bus as well, so passengers will point at them when they ask questions.
Driving passengers in Japan requires a second-class licence of the right category. Your employer will explain the requirements that apply to you.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 運転士 | untenshi | Driver |
| 停留所 | teiryūjo | Bus stop (formal) |
| バス停 | basutei | Bus stop |
| 運賃 | unchin | Fare |
| 整理券 | seiriken | Numbered ticket for distance-based fares |
| 降車ボタン | kōsha botan | Stop request button |
| 系統 | keitō | Route number |
| 回送 | kaisō | Out of service |
Departure and stop announcements
Announcements follow set patterns: departing, the next stop, holding on while the bus moves, and staying seated until it stops. Many buses play recorded announcements, but drivers add their own, especially for safety.
Say them calmly and clearly rather than quickly. A steady pace is what makes announcements sound professional.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 発車します。ご注意ください。 | Hassha shimasu. Go-chūi kudasai. | We are departing. Please take care. |
| 次は、市役所前です。 | Tsugi wa, Shiyakusho-mae desu. | The next stop is City Hall. |
| お降りの方は、ボタンでお知らせください。 | O-ori no kata wa, botan de o-shirase kudasai. | If you are getting off, please press the button. |
| バスが揺れますので、おつかまりください。 | Basu ga yuremasu node, o-tsukamari kudasai. | The bus may sway, so please hold on. |
| バスが止まってから、席をお立ちください。 | Basu ga tomatte kara, seki o o-tachi kudasai. | Please stay seated until the bus stops. |
| お忘れ物のないよう、ご注意ください。 | O-wasuremono no nai yō, go-chūi kudasai. | Please make sure you have all your belongings. |
Fares and IC cards
Fare systems vary. Some buses charge a flat fare and some charge by distance using numbered tickets. Some take payment when you get on and others when you get off. Learn your company's system first, then the phrases that explain it.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 運賃は降りるときにお支払いください。 | Unchin wa oriru toki ni o-shiharai kudasai. | Please pay when you get off. |
| 整理券をお取りください。 | Seiriken o o-tori kudasai. | Please take a numbered ticket. |
| ICカードをタッチしてください。 | Aishī kādo o tatchi shite kudasai. | Please tap your IC card. |
| 残高が足りないようです。 | Zandaka ga tarinai yō desu. | It looks like your balance is too low. |
| 両替機はこちらです。 | Ryōgaeki wa kochira desu. | The change machine is here. |
| 千円札は両替できます。 | Sen-en satsu wa ryōgae dekimasu. | You can change a 1,000-yen note. |
Helping passengers
Passengers ask whether the bus goes somewhere, where to get off and which side to wait on. Short answers are best, because you are working to a timetable.
Wheelchair users may need the ramp, and priority seats are for people who need them. Both come with standard polite phrases.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| このバスは駅に行きますか。 | Kono basu wa eki ni ikimasu ka. | Does this bus go to the station? (passenger) |
| はい、駅前に止まります。 | Hai, ekimae ni tomarimasu. | Yes, it stops in front of the station. |
| 反対側のバス停からお乗りください。 | Hantaigawa no basutei kara o-nori kudasai. | Please take the bus from the stop on the other side. |
| スロープを出しますので、少々お待ちください。 | Surōpu o dashimasu node, shōshō o-machi kudasai. | I will put the ramp out, so please wait a moment. |
| 優先席 | yūsenseki | Priority seats |
Delays, braking and incidents
When something happens on the road, passengers want to know what is going on and whether they are safe. A short explanation and a question about injuries come first, then a report to the depot.
Follow your company's procedure for accidents and illness. The phrases here are for the conversation around that procedure.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 急ブレーキをかけました。お怪我はありませんか。 | Kyū burēki o kakemashita. O-kega wa arimasen ka. | I had to brake suddenly. Is anyone hurt? |
| 渋滞のため、遅れております。 | Jūtai no tame, okurete orimasu. | We are running late because of traffic. |
| 車内に具合の悪い方がいます。 | Shanai ni guai no warui kata ga imasu. | There is a passenger on board who is unwell. |
| 営業所に連絡します。 | Eigyōsho ni renraku shimasu. | I will contact the depot. |
| 事故がありました。 | Jiko ga arimashita. | There has been an accident. |
Learning the route language
Unihongo's Ask the Way to the Station mission gives you the passenger's side of a directions conversation, which helps you predict the questions you will be asked at the door.
- Learn your route's stop names and practise reading them aloud.
- Record the departure, next stop and holding-on announcements and listen back.
- Learn your company's fare system and the two or three phrases that explain it.
- Prepare the injury question and the depot report as full sentences.