The buses operate as they do in any other city of the world, however, you must be extra-cognizant of where you are heading because the drivers don't speak English. Streets are maze-like and parking is all but impossible. Subways - Subways are generally the best way to travel. They're safe, inexpensive, and run frequently. Vending machines sell tickets, and if you err and underpay for your ride, you can pay the difference at your destination.
Some machines also have an English-language option that can be activated when buying tickets.
While a fairly expensive way to travel, taxis are good for short trips. Remember that a red light means the taxi is available while a green light means the taxi is occupied. Taxis are plentiful around well-known spots and major hotels. On one trip, we actually had a driver through up his hands in disgust at his inability to locate a particular restaurant and kick us out of the cab. Transferring between subways and trains can be tricky.