Well I'm something of a public transport buff (as well as aviation) so I tend to be more clued up than most. In the UK it's partially a "Londoner" thing. Some of the others in the office will always use their car until the distance requires a plane flight. Some will take the Underground or commuter train IF the meeting is in Central London. But they always come to me for routing advice !

Buses in Britain outside London and one or two other places (eg Edinburgh) have deterioated into a quasi-social service, no meaningful route information and ofter third-world standard vehicles. And higher priced (far higher than London). But there are worthwhile rail and increasingly light rail systems in several cities here.

Overseas its better. I used transit in the last year for business trips in Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Dusseldorf, Paris, St Petersburg, Dublin and New York. It's so useful. Sure for some trips a taxi might be quicker but it's great to get the feeling of the city.

GradGirl we've had that sort of security in London you describe (and also when driving along the streets) for 30 years, courtesy of various terrorist groups. I think many tourists might never know it happens (look at the little checkpoints built in the middle of the road, usually unmanned, on all entrances into the City of London). I have to say it is always done efficiently and ULTRA pleasantly, and sparingly and when the checkpoints pop up they always seem to have something in mind. No demanding of ID though or arresting you if you don't have it; I'm afraid if US airport security style is anything to go by it may just end up being a job creation project for those in the security industry. I do hope for your sake it doesn't.