Public Transportation and Marshrutka Slang
Bus and marshrutka fare
Usually in public transportation a conductor collects a fare. There are different rules in different cities
when bus passengers are supposed to pay. Sometimes a conductor wants the fare when you get on a bus,
sometimes when you get off the bus. So, observe other passengers‟ behavior and do the same.
Very often conductors are people from rural areas, and thus are most comfortable speaking Kazakh. This
is good for you, because they will ask questions and make their announcements in Kazakh. In this case
listen to the intonation (question? statement?) and pay attention for key words (usually you can identify
the name of the stops and questions on getting off the bus.)
Conductors usually announce the name of the next stop, but sometimes they do not. In this case it would
be better for you to ask a conductor to let you know the stop you need to get off at.
For example:
Please tell me when we are at the corner of Abaya and Dostyk avenue.
Айтыңызшы, Абай жҽне Достық қашан болады.
In a tram and trolleybus a conductor collects fare moving back and forth through the vehicle.
Etiquette/Tips
Let elderly, pregnant women, and people with small children have your seat:
Don‟t stand in front of the door unless you want to get off at next stop.
Try to get your change/fare ready before you get to your stop.
Hand your fare to the conductor. Only if there is no conductor or if you are unable to reach the
conductor should the fare be given to the driver.
Hand other passengers‟ fares to the conductor if you are closer.
Elderly people should get the pensioners‟ discount (50% off), just say «Пенсионный» or
«Зейнеткер» when handing fare to conductor.
Students should get students‟ discount (50% off), but you will need to show your Student
identification card to conductor, if you have one.
Hand your fare to passengers if the conductor closer to them
(Pass the fare, please Беріп жіберіңізші).
If you don‟t know where to get off, ask a fellow passenger or, even better, a conductor.