Public Transport service in USA

Public transport available in the USA for local travel consists of local buses or trains. In the US, public transport service is not as frequent as it is in Mumbai, or Delhi. It's advisable to get your own car as soon as possible. You may have to walk quite far to get to your nearest bus stop, or station.

You must have a bus or train schedule with you, which you can find from the web site of the local transport organizations. For example, in Central Silicon Valley area VTA web site gives such information. You can locate them in your telephone book. You can find the road maps, schedules etc. in the local buses and trains, which are free of cost.

Generally, you may purchase your daily tickets from the driver on the train and buses itself. Or can get a monthly pass.

In local buses, the driver does not give back any change. Always carry the exact fair.
Confirm about your destination before boarding on the bus, you may ask the driver about the stop you want to go.
If you are a frequent traveler, it's good to take monthly pass, which is more economic. It also relieves you from every day cash payment.
In few cities there are free airport shuttles, which connects to the nearest public transport station.
Few airports have door to door shuttle service, which is cheaper then a CAB. Only difference is, it's a big van, which normally takes a group of passengers going in the same direction.

There are no taxi stands, and you won't either find them waiting at the roadside. You can find them listed in the yellow pages. In most cases, you will just have to call up and make an appointment for a taxi. But there is a separate taxi line at the Airport or at the Railway Stations.

Calling Procedure: Call up the taxi number from your yellow pages, and tell the operator complete details, about where you are and where you want to go. He/She will tell you, how long it might take for the taxi to arrive at your place. Give your telephone number, so that the taxi driver can call you if he has any problem in locating you.

** Remember, always ask for the estimated fare of the ride beforehand. When you enter the taxi, check the meter which should read "flat rate" i.e. minimum charge. In addition to that for each mile, you will be charged extra.

Call a taxi for a particular time, and try your best not to keep him waiting for a longer time, as normally meter starts at the time you have asked for it.
Keep some change ($1,$5,$10) as some times taxi guys don't have the change and you might end up paying a little extra.
You can also make a request for a wake up call, when you book a cab for early morning.
You can also ask for receipt from the driver, if you want. Especially, if you want to reimburse it from your company.
It's always better to make a note of the telephone numbers of all CAB companies, so that you can call them as and when required.

For inter city transport, buses are available in almost all the cities. In few places there are trains. Their schedule, rates etc. can be found on the web. One of such intercity bus services is Grey Hound. You can also book your tickets online.