In message 01cbdde1$8fc4a380$LocalHost@default, at 02:22:21 on Wed, 9
Mar 2011, Michael R N Dolbear remarked:

One reason to ring the bell on country bus routes is that standing up
or moving before the bus actually stops can be unsafe, especially if
one is not very secure on ones feet.

So expecting the driver to notice only works when the passenger feels
it safe to move when the bus isn't stationary.

That depends how far away the bells are. If this is an issue, then the
buses here have about half the seats within reach of the bell without
getting up.
--
Roland Perry