In message , Ian Jelf
writes

There are also *many* people from other parts of the UK who *never* use
public transport and I think that that can be a BIG factor.

I think that's probable (a friend of mine has only one bus a week to a
town that happens to have a station, but one with a very poor rail
service - no wonder public transport is not an option).

But in London, I suspect that strangers are reluctant to use buses
because, even when given the route number, they worry about where to get
off because they don't know the visual clues and can't (in these days of
one-man driver and articulated buses) rely on someone to tell them. If
they are in London on an extended holiday, an unexpected over-run may
not matter (although getting to the theatre at a certain time, certainly
will). On a short visit, when getting back to the coach is a priority,
this can become seriously scary.

I also suspect that this view is, by analogy, carried over to using the
tube - such folk probably don't realise how well tube stations are
signed and announced, so again worry about missing their destination.

Just my 2 penn'orth, but based on much travelling by public transport in
various European cities.

--
Paul Terry