Formal — to staff
Local · Bus
You
すみません、このバスは〇〇（地名）に行きますか？現金で支払う場合、どこで整理券を取ればいいですか？
すみません、このバスは〇〇（ちめい）にいきますか？げんきんでしはらうばあい、どこでせいりけんをとればいいですか？
Excuse me, does this bus go to [place name]? If I'm paying with cash, where should I take a numbered ticket?
Romaji: Sumimasen, kono basu wa [chimei] ni ikimasu ka? Genkin de shiharau baai, doko de seiriken o toreba ii desu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, [chimei] iki desu. Gojōsha no sai, iriguchi de seiriken o o-tori kudasai. Unchin wa kōsha-ji, untenseki yoko no ryōkin-bako e dōzo.
Reply
はい、〇〇行きです。ご乗車の際、入り口で整理券をお取りください。運賃は降車時、運転席横の料金箱へどうぞ。
はい、〇〇いきです。ごじょうしゃのさい、いりぐちでせいりけんをおとりください。うんちんはこうしゃじ、うんてんせきよこのりょうきんばこへどうぞ。
Yes, it goes to [place name]. Please take a numbered ticket from the entrance when you board. The fare should be put into the fare box next to the driver's seat when you get off.
Gesture & etiquette
Point to the bus and then make a motion like taking a ticket, then point to your wallet.
Buses often have different payment systems (flat fare vs. distance-based with tickets). Be prepared with exact change or 1000-yen bills for the change machine.