Great Western Coffee Shop

Almost habitually I thank the bus driver when I get off - especially at a request stop where (s)he has made a special stop for me.   And yet I very rarely thank the train driver.   Of course, the physical setup of trains makes thanking the driver impractical most of the time ...

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/tadriver.jpg)

I will thank a TM/Guard/Conductor when alighting if they're nearby or I pass them as I walk along the platform.

Apparently in the days of steam my grandfather always made a point of walking to the locomotive at the front and thanking the driver with a raise of his hat.

It is reported that in the very olden days, Lord Morley, a director of the GWR, and living in Plymouth, would speak to the driver before joining the train at Plymouth (North Road)  and  say " There is a guinea here for you my man if we arrive in Paddingotn on time".
I have no means of verifying this tale, but I rather like it.

"And pray God, Watson, that we are not too late"

Definite touch of the Arthur Conan Doyle's about this

My maternal grandfather (who was born in 1869, and had died by the time I arrived) was a driver on the old Midland Railway, based at Kentish Town Sheds.  My mum would tell of the time he was offered a sovereign by a couple of American gentlemen for taking the train just as flat-out fast as he possibly could.  He got his sovereign 

Harder of course to thank the bus driver in London or the surprisingly few other cities that have 2-door buses so you get off further back.  On the basis that they should be monitoring the door through a mirror or CCTV before closing it, I tend to wave a thank you.

A little over 4 years ago, I had the pleasure of riding on this rather handsome tram in Kagoshima, southern Japan.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53319884176_aba2991d3d_c.jpg)

This is public transport rather than tourist, with my wife and I being the only foreigners on board. We had been briefed on how to use it. Boarding is at the rear, disembarkation via the front door. At each stop, the driver stands and turns to face the passenger cabin to his rear, with a ticket machine in front of him at the hatchway. He collects fares (or inspects a pass in our case), issues a ticket, bows and says "ありがとうございました", or "Arigatōgozaimashita", the Japanese form of "Thank you" used when an action is complete. I had learned that, but didn't know the correct response. When my turn came, I bowed in response and said "Cheers, Drive!", which was thankfully acceptable.

It was spotless, probably cleaned by the driver himself if needed.

Domo Arigato Tony San.

On the bus in London I usually wave and call out thanks on alighting. I do like the custom in the East, particularly noticeable throughout China, whereby the staff line up and salute the train as it  leaves the platform even on frequent interval, short, city routes such as the maglev in Pudong. The only time I remember seeing that in Europe was on the 'Children's Railway' in Budapest. (I think that that is no longer in operation, sadly.)

Murky buckets!

A different perspective back from when I used to drive for SWT and often worked the 18:30 Waterloo-Weymouth, first stop Winchester and always full of commuters. These were normally formed of 10x442 and the rule was that the front vestibule door had to be locked OOU for safety reasons. On arrival at Winchester I (& other drivers) would usually unlock the door (switch in the cab) so that all the regulars could pile out of the front. Quite a few of the regular travellers would give a thanks on leaving which made things a little more personal.