An interview to learn about travel and public transportation in the United States.

Q：据说美国是一个由汽车驱动的国家，美国人实际上是一个生活在轮子上的民族。你认为这是一种夸张的说法吗?

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访问美国，我可以在美国境内开车吗？

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：在中国某些道路上开车，司机必须将自已的行车速度控制在标牌规定的限速内。美国是否也有限速？

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：我作为一名出公差来美国的旅行者，可没有必要为了旅行而去买一辆车。我想贵国一定有某种租车服务业吧？

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：那么租车时我以什么方式来付款呢？

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:如果我没有驾照，那我怎样去其他城市呢?

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: 听说美国城市的公共交通不尽如人意，有没有这回事？

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：万一坐巴士或地铁到不了我想要去的地方怎么办呢？

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：十分感谢您所提供的情况。

A: You're welcome.