In message , at 15:54:36 on Thu, 16 Jul
2009, Charles Lindsey remarked:
Is a "private hire" car (aka minicab) public transport?

Not unless you can walk up to one in the street and request immediate
transport to some destination (i.e. unless it is a "Hackney Carriage").

Can you walk up to a railway station and "hail" a train for immediate
transport in the same way?

I think not.

The important property of "Public" transport, is that anyone [with
money] can use it. But sometimes you have to book it in advance.
--
Roland Perry