How to take public transit in any city

As cities become more global-oriented, it has become increasingly easier to take public transit in any city. Informational websites, sensible signage design and English have appeared on transit systems everywhere, to varying degrees.

Still, this mental checklist will always remain handy anywhere in the world:

General

We should know the:

• fare system before entering the vehicle
  • do children and seniors have discounts or do they ride free?
  • do they have one-day or multi-day passes that could save money?
• proof of purchase (pop)
  • does the system still use tickets?
  • does the ticket need validation?
    • (is having a ticket enough or do we need to get it stamped?)
• opening and closing times of the transit system

As we use the system, we should get to know the:

• way-finding system(s) (especially if they use no English)
• announcement system(s) for stations and stops
• system interruptions from the stations and on their website

Subway / metro trains

(i.e. [mostly] underground municipal rail)

We should know:

• at which station and line are we getting on?
  • (duh)
• at which station do we want to get off?
  • (duh)
• in which direction will the train go?
  • most cities denote this by the terminus
  • some might just say an absolute direction like "westbound"
  • this is important so we don't go the wrong way!
• which pedestrian exit should we use?
  • some stations have multiple exits (e.g. Montreal)
  • this is important as exits can be several hundred metres apart!
• at which station should we transfer (if necessary)?
  • which subway line do we ride on next?

Optionally:

• is this train car "women only"?
• is this section of the train for certain people only?
• do the train cars interconnect?
• where are the safety and security (panic button) features?

Buses / LRT / tram / trolley

(i.e. [mostly] above-ground municipal rail)

• what route(s) do I need to take?
• what are the stop(s) before our stop?

Commuter rail

(i.e. [mostly] above-ground inter-city and suburban rail)

• are there classes (first class / economy class) on the train?
• are there quiet zones where people cannot talk?