In message , MatSav
writes

In practice, however, people don't realise the difference - and
flag down the bus anyway.

TfL effectively removed the difference several years ago. The current
policy is that drivers must stop at any bus stop whe

1. There are people waiting
2. There is a possibility that people are waiting
3. The driver's view of the bus stop is impaired
4. Someone has rung the bell

There was a proposal that they would remove the distinction between
"request stop" and "compulsory stop" signs in order to reflect this
change of policy, but I don't think this has yet started (presumably for
cost reasons).

Nonetheless, people do still flag down buses at stops (even compulsory
ones) served by more than one route, as there is otherwise a danger that
the bus required will simply sail straight past.
--
Paul Terry