[SideburnsOfDoom]

This doesn't exist in London. The London underground, overground and bus routes are extensive, and the black taxis and minicabs fill in the gap for a moderate fee.

You will however find something much like this well established in large cities in Sub-Saharan Africa under the name "Matatu" or "Minibus taxi" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Share_taxi#South_Africa

[lmm]

I recall a documentary on coaches a bit like this in England. There're something like 20 private coach companies running between London and Luton, and in practice they're segregated by race (I mean, anyone can get on any of them, but they don't).

(But yeah, within London the public transport is good enough to push out this kind of thing)

[keithpeter]

Birmingham UK: I used to see the 'Polska' coach outside Moor St Station every Friday for some years. Haven't seen it recently. Birmingham- Krakov- Warsaw. Always had the idea of catching it for a long weekend...

Some companies run small coaches or minibuses to out of town work areas (e.g. Fort Dunlop) that are hard to get to by public transport. I think they are employer run rather than locally organised.

Very nice piece of writing that article, well done. Could be a book in that.