An interview to learn about travel and public transportation in the United States.
Q：據(jù)說美國是一個(gè)由汽車驅(qū)動的國家，美國人實(shí)際上是一個(gè)生活在輪子上的民族。你認(rèn)為這是一種夸張的說法嗎?
A: This is basically a correct observation, which says something about the American way of life. Americans like to do business without leaving their cars. Wherever you go, you'll see drive-in banks, drive-in restaurants, drive-in churches and drive-in movies.
Q：如果我以游客的身份訪問美國，我可以在美國境內(nèi)開車嗎？
A: Yes, you can. When you drive in the United States, it's a good idea to have an international driver's license if you are a foreigner and don't have a state license. Each of the fifty states of the U. S. has its own traffic laws. Drivers are expected to know and understand the local laws even if they don't live in a particular state. You can get information at a tourist information center when you cross the border into a different state.
Q：在中國某些道路上開車，司機(jī)必須將自已的行車速度控制在標(biāo)牌規(guī)定的限速內(nèi)。美國是否也有限速？
A: Yes. In most states, the speed limit on the expressway is 55 miles per hour, or about 88 kilometers per hour. On some roads, such as some state or federal expressways, there is a minimum speed of 40 miles per hour, or about 65 kilometers per hour.
Q：我作為一名出公差來美國的旅行者，可沒有必要為了旅行而去買一輛車。我想貴國一定有某種租車服務(wù)業(yè)吧？
A: Of course we do. This country has the most developed car rental industry in the world. The two largest American car rental companies, Hertz and Avis, have offices all over the United States, with counters at most airports and in many international cities. Other national car rental companies that you can find at airports, such as Thrifty, National, Budget or Dollar, have offices in other countries too, so you may want to reserve a car through your travel agent in your own country.
Q：那么租車時(shí)我以什么方式來付款呢？
A: In order to rent a car, you have to have a major credit card, such as MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. Without a credit card you may have to pay a very high deposit on the car. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, you may rent used cars from used car rental companies, such as Rent-A-Junker and Ugly Duckling. Their rates are often lower and they don't always demand a credit card. Sometimes they have special offers that make the total cost of renting a car even lower.
Q:如果我沒有駕照，那我怎樣去其他城市呢?
A: There are three ways to travel from city to city without a car. In some places, you can take Amtrak, the national
passenger rail service. Or you can take a bus. Greyhound is the largest long distance coach company, which offers the monthly pass. And, of course, you can fly. There are dozens of airlines, both regional and national. Prices are not regulated, so airlines can make special offers that are sometimes cheaper than train tickets. There are also shuttle and commuter flights between some major cities that are close to each other.
Q: 聽說美國城市的公共交通不盡如人意，有沒有這回事？
A: Well, I have to admit that getting around a city on public transportation is generally not as easy as it is in most other countries, but it is possible. Although only a few cities have subways, most towns with a population of 50,000 or more have some kind of city bus service.
Q：萬一坐巴士或地鐵到不了我想要去的地方怎么辦呢？
A: You can always take a cab. You can stop a cab on the street, but that's not easy in many cities. It's actually easier to call a taxi company listed in the Yellow Pages of a telephone directory and ask them to send a cab to your door. American taxi drivers will usually expect a tip of at least 10%. In big cities like New York, cabbies expect a tip of 15%.
Q：十分感謝您所提供的情況。
A: You're welcome.
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