Final answer:
The correct answer is 'c. Standing is allowed only in designated areas' on a bus. Public transportation etiquette varies by location, but safety and operational considerations dictate where passengers can stand.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the question, 'Are passengers permitted to stand on a bus and, if they are, where may they stand?', the correct answer is c. Standing is allowed only in designated areas. This is typical across various public transportation systems around the world. Passengers are generally not allowed to stand in the driver's cabin or walkways that may obstruct the driver's view or interfere with the operation of the bus. Instead, there are specific areas marked for standing, often indicated by lines or signs, to ensure safety and accessibility for all passengers.
Public transportation etiquette and rules can vary significantly from one city to another. For example, in Cairo, Egypt, passengers might board a moving bus, while in Dublin, Ireland, signaling a bus to stop is expected. In Mumbai, India, overcrowding leads to a much more physical boarding process which can be considered rude elsewhere, indicating that cultural contexts dictate what is acceptable or expected behavior concerning standing and moving on public transportation.