Paul wrote:

Returning to the original topic, I do think that the bendy bus was
dangerously overcrowded. I don't know that there is an easy answer -
the bus driver could have asked people to get off, but how many would
have complied?

Very few. The indicators at bus stops on the 25 frequently bear no relation
to reality at all and few people will trust any announcement claiming
there'll be another one along very soon. And even if it did come along
there's no guarantee for sure the bus driver would actually stop - there are
many cases of bus drivers failing to stop at bus stops in the area despite
the bus having capacity.