TOEIC Vocabulary - public transportation

Board = get onto or allow people to get onto a boat, train, or aircraft (Verb)

• At London airport, she boarded a plane to Australia. 

• He boarded a train to Berlin. 

• We'll be boarding the plane in about 20 minutes.

• I will text you before boarding the plane to New Zealand.

• The flight is about to begin boarding.

• Please note that we may begin boarding as early as 30 minutes prior to your flight's scheduled departure time. We encourage all passengers to plan to arrive at the gate area no later than this time.

Get/be on board = Board

• Did you get on board the train?

• The ship's passengers are all on board.

• Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to wake you. If there is a doctor on board, please hit your call button.

If someone told you "It's good to have you on board for this project.", it means that they are happy to work with you for this project. More example sentences:

• Is everyone on board with the new plan? 

• Welcome to the company, Richard—it's great to have you on board.

• I can't tell you how thrilled we are to have you on board.

To depart means to go away or leave.

• The plane departs at 6 a.m.

• I'd like to know when flight AA123 to Taipei departs.

• The flight is scheduled to depart at 9:00 a.m., but it's running 20 minutes late.

• The bus for Dallas departs from the Greyhound-Trailways Terminal.

• Can you tell me where flight AZ672 to New York departs from, please?

• This is a platform announcement for passengers for the 10.40 service to Bristol Temple Meads. This train is delayed by approximately 8 minutes. The train will now depart from Platform 8. Passengers for the 10.40 train to Bristol, please make your way to Platform 8.

Departure refers to the fact of a person or vehicle, etc. leaving somewhere

• What is your time of departure?

• Our departure is scheduled for 9 p.m. 

• Our departure time is 8 p.m.

• Our departure was delayed because of bad weather.

• We had to postpone our departure because of bad weather.

• Please hand in your keys at reception on your departure from the hotel.

• The pilot always reminds the flight attendants to make sure that all the passengers are ready for departure.

"On schedule" refers to something happening at the planned or expected time. It is often used in contexts where timing and adherence to a timeline are important, such as in transportation, project management, or event planning. It implies that everything is going as planned, without any delays.

• The train arrived on schedule.

• The project is on schedule and should be completed by next month.

• We need to work hard to stay on schedule.
  
  

On time = at or before the scheduled time. We generally use 'on time' for something that has a fixed time every day, or a plan that we have arranged previously. 

• In my city, the buses never run on time.

• Will the train arrive on time? 

• All essays must be handed in on time.

• Did you pay all of your bills on time this month?

• She didn't pay her credit card bills on time, so she had to pay a late fee.

• Cynthia is never on time, so I always tell her to show up at least half an hour earlier than everyone else.

In time = before it is too late. If you are in time for a particular event, you are not too late for it.

• I almost missed the train. Luckily, my cousin gave me a ride so I arrived at the station just in time.

• The film will be released just in time for Christmas.

• I'll be home in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

• The team worked tirelessly over Thanksgiving weekends building the prototypes and finishing the sample software in time for the show.

The word “platform” has multiple meanings. A platform is a flat, raised structure, usually made of wood, which people stand on when they make speeches or give a performance. A platform in a railway station is the area beside the rails where you wait for or get off a train. A platform can also mean an online service where people can communicate, share information, and collaborate.

• Passengers wishing to take the King George train should go to platform 5.

• Excuse me. I'm taking the train to Houston. Is this the right platform?

• Walking on a train platform while using your cellphone is very dangerous.

• After a few words of greeting, each candidate was directed to stand on either side of the raised platform.

• Social media platforms WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram faced global outages which took the services offline Monday. 

• From Google to Yelp and TripAdvisor, there is no shortage of platforms through which customers can share their opinion of a restaurant. 94% of diners, according to the survey, reference online reviews to help them decide where to eat. 

In a maritime context, a port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land. 

• The ship is coming into the port soon.

• The cruise ship is scheduled to dock at the Shanghai port Monday.

• A large cargo ship hit a tall overhead crane in a Taiwanese port last Thursday. One worker at the port was sent to a hospital for a cut on his arm.

In the world of computers and technology, a port refers to a connection point or interface where peripheral devices can be connected to a computer or networking equipment, such as USB ports or Ethernet ports. 

• Please make sure the USB cable is connected to the correct port on your computer.

• My laptop has multiple ports for HDMI, USB, and a headphone jack.

• If your device is not recognizing the printer, check if it is plugged into the right port.

The word "schedule" can be used both as a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a list or a plan that shows the times when certain events are intended to happen. As a verb, it means to arrange for something to happen at a particular time. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to organize and manage time effectively.

• What's your schedule for tomorrow afternoon? I can work around your schedule.

• I have a full schedule today. I might be available tomorrow. I will check my schedule for tomorrow later.

• The class schedule is available on the website. 

• You can find the bus schedule on the website.

• We scheduled a meeting for next week.

• I need to schedule a doctor's appointment for next week.

• Let's schedule a meeting.

As a verb, it means to arrange for something to happen at a particular time. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to organize and manage time effectively.

• The meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. 

• The cruise ship is scheduled to dock at the Shanghai port Monday.

• The flight is scheduled to depart at 9:00 a.m., but it's running 20 minutes late.

• I was scheduled to visit your office to install some refrigerators this afternoon.

• I was scheduled to have a meeting in conference room C, but there are people in there. They said they wouldn't be finished for another 30 minutes.

Behind Schedule: This phrase is used when something is delayed or running later than the planned or expected time.

On Schedule: This phrase indicates that a task or event is proceeding at the planned or expected pace, without any delays.

• The project is behind schedule.

• We are going to arrive on schedule.

• The bus arrived on schedule.

• The stadiums are due to be completed by December and work was reportedly on schedule before the strike.

The term "seat" refers to a place designed for sitting, typically made to accommodate one person and commonly supported by four legs and a backrest, although designs can vary widely. 

• Excuse me, I think you are in my seat.

• Excuse me, Is this seat taken ? 

• Would you keep my seat for me while I go get some food? 

• Could I book two seats for tomorrow evening's performance?

• I usually walk further down the platform so that I can board the last railcar. Sometimes the last railcar has fewer passengers, and I might be able to find an unoccupied seat.

• While I am waiting for the train, I like to grab something to drink. When the train approaches, people start lining up behind the yellow line. When the train arrives, I get on the train and take a seat. 

The word “transport” as a verb primarily refers to the act of moving goods or people from one place to another, often using vehicles or other means of conveyance. As a noun, it refers to the system or means by which people or goods are transported, such as buses, trains, and planes.

• Logistics Department is in charge of arranging the transport of goods from suppliers to the stores.

• Our company is in charge of the transport of manufactured goods.

• The bicycle is an environment-friendly form of transport.

• The government wants more people to use public transport instead of private cars.

• The pipeline was constructed to transport oil across Alaska to ports on the coast.

• Our company is in charge of transporting manufactured goods.

"Belongings" refers to the items that a person owns or possesses. These can include personal items like clothes and books, as well as larger possessions such as furniture and electronics. The term is often used in contexts where ownership needs to be emphasized, such as during travel, when moving to a new house, or in legal situations. 

• They gathered their belongings and left.

• Baggage and personal belongings should not be left unattended. Any unattended items found will be treated as suspicious.

Boarding refers to the act of getting onto or allowing people to get onto a boat, train, or aircraft 

• Boarding will begin at 11 o'clock.

• Boarding begins about 10 to 20 minutes before departure. You need to arrive at the terminal at least an hour before the scheduled departure time to buy your ticket. 

The word "bound" is versatile in English. As an adjective, it conveys a sense of inevitability or certainty in a situation. It is often used in travel contexts to indicate the destination towards which a vehicle or group is headed. It is typically paired with "for" to specify the endpoint of a journey, emphasizing the direction and purpose of the travel.

• This train is bound for Tamsui station.

• The police have found out that the killer is on a plane bound for Germany.

• Chinese customs officials are halting shipments bound for Japan of so-called rare earth elements.

• She is bound to succeed with such dedication.

• We should respect the legal bounds of copyright.

• The flight bound for Tokyo has been delayed due to bad weather.

• All passengers for the train bound for Chicago, please proceed to platform 9.

A ferry is a boat that transports passengers and sometimes also vehicles, usually across rivers or short stretches of sea.

• We're going to Bowen Island by/on the ferry. The ferry takes 20 minutes and generally runs hourly.

• The Seattle terminal and ferry dock is currently under major construction until 2023, and could affect your travel plans.

A route is a way from one place to another. A bus, air, or shipping route is the way between two places along which buses, planes, or ships travel regularly.

• Some airlines have canceled less popular routes in an effort to maximize profits.

• Do you live on a bus route?

• Where is the best spot along the parade route?

• Her secretary plans her entire day, down to what she orders for lunch and what route her driver takes to go home.

The term "shuttle" generally refers to a vehicle or device that travels back and forth between two fixed points. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as in transportation, where it might describe a bus, train, or van that transports people between locations like an airport and a city center, or between different terminals within the airport itself. In the context of space exploration, "shuttle" is famously associated with the Space Shuttle, which was a spacecraft developed by NASA for human spaceflight missions, capable of re-entering the Earth's atmosphere and landing like an airplane. 

• If I take the 8:30 shuttle, I'll be there in time for the meeting.

• It says the last shuttle bus departs at 11:30 P.M.

• A free shuttle bus runs between the airport terminal and the train station.

• The hotel provides a shuttle bus that takes you to and from the airport.

The verb "shuttle" refers to the act of moving back and forth between two places in a regular and frequent manner. It is commonly used to describe a type of transport service that carries passengers or goods on a fixed, short route with multiple trips over a period.

• Paul shuttles between Paris and Dijon for his job.

• For several years she shuttled between Seattle and Vancouver as work demanded.

• The airport bus (Route 78) shuttles between Downtown Nanaimo and YCD Airport.

A terminal is a place where vehicles, passengers, or goods begin or end a journey.

• I will meet you outside the bus terminal.

• Please arrive at the terminal at least an hour before the scheduled departure time to buy your ticket.

• A free shuttle bus runs between the airport terminal and the train station.

• Flight 1984 is now departing from Gate 5 in Terminal A.

• Larger airports generally have multiple terminals to sufficiently accommodate a given day's aircraft and their passengers. For example, Frankfurt Airport has two, with a third scheduled to open in 2026, and New York JFK boasts as many as six. On the other hand, smaller airports can have just one terminal building.

"Concourse" typically refers to a large open area within a public space where people can gather, walk through, or wait. It is commonly used in the context of transportation hubs such as airports and train stations, where it describes the spacious areas that lead to and from different gates or platforms. These concourses are often lined with various amenities such as shops, restaurants, and seating areas, designed to accommodate the needs of travelers. Additionally, the term can also be applied to other large public buildings like convention centers or sports arenas, where similar large gathering spaces are found. 

• There's a ticket machine in the main concourse.

• Several concession stands and cart vendors are located on the concourse.

• The airport has three concourses.

• Following the completion of phase four in 2020, Incheon International Airport (ICN) will have four runways, 128 gates, two passenger terminals, and four satellite concourses.

Docks are essential structures for maritime activities, serving as the primary location for loading and unloading goods, as well as for the embarking and disembarking of passengers. The term can refer to the water area between two piers or alongside a pier that receives a ship for loading, unloading, or repairs. As a verb, "dock" involves the process of a ship coming to a dock or the act of reducing someone's salary or benefits.

• The ship was moored at the dock early in the morning.

• Workers were busy unloading goods from the large containers at the dock.

• The company decided to dock his pay after the unauthorized leave. 

A harbor is a sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and barges can be docked. The sheltered area provides protection from rough waters and is often used for loading and unloading goods and passengers. Harbors can be natural or artificial, with many being equipped with extensive facilities such as piers, wharves, and docks, as well as equipment for handling cargo. In addition to serving as a safe haven for watercraft, harbors can also be hubs of economic activity, supporting fishing, transportation, and tourism industries. Major cities that are located near bodies of water often have harbors that play a crucial role in trade and commerce. 

• This cruise ship is scheduled to dock at Sydney Harbor on Monday.

• Our hotel room overlooked a pretty little fishing harbor.

• Created in tribute to the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, the little mermaid has overlooked the entrance of the Copenhagen harbor since 1913 and has become one of the most photographed statues in the world.

Inbound = coming in. An inbound flight is one that is arriving from another place. An outbound flight is one that is leaving or about to leave a particular place.

• Due to continuous heavy downpour and low visibility, 12 inbound flights were diverted from Abbotsford airport to 隻nearby airports. 

• Inbound passengers no longer need to show a COVID-19 test result prior to boarding a flight to Taiwan.

• The airline has canceled all outbound flights.

• Airlines have canceled about 50 outbound and inbound flights at Sydney Airport, anticipating that wet weather would force it to operate just a single runway.

A railcar is a self-propelled railway vehicle that can move independently on the tracks without the need for a separate locomotive. It typically combines both the engine and the passenger or cargo compartments into a single unit. Railcars are often used in regional, suburban, or light rail systems where a full locomotive is not necessary.

• The railcar was decorated with colorful graffiti.

• The old railcar was taken out of service and replaced with a new, more modern one.

• I usually walk further down the platform so that I can board the last railcar. Sometimes the last railcar has fewer passengers, and I might be able to find an unoccupied seat.