There are more than 1,000 bus routes in Shanghai, operated by a variety of private companies. Direct journeys are relatively cheap at around ¥2 for a single ticket on an air-conditioned bus, but because of the different parent companies, journeys requiring a transfer could cost more. It is advisable to buy a Shanghai Transportation Card (jiaotong ka); these can be purchased at Metro stations for ¥100, including a ¥30 refundable deposit. They can be used on all of Shanghai’s buses, Metro lines, ferries and taxis. In some areas unreachable by the current Metro system, such as Hongqiao Airport, buses are the only available mode of public transport. But a severe lack of English-language bus maps, timetables or bus-stop signs tends to put off both tourists and expats from using them; for non-Chinese readers it is a good idea to ask the driver or conductor to signal you when your stop is approaching. For further information on routes you can contact the bus information hotline on 1608 8160, bearing in mind it is a Chinese-only service.­­­­