Why Are You On The Bus, But In The Car, And Never In The Bus Or On The Car

[IggyStardust]

Why are you ON the bus, but IN the car, and never IN the bus or ON the car

[Tilly2]

You have to step onto the bus but you just get into the car.

[Prudie]

You also get on the train, on the plane, on the boat. maybe it's because you are not the driver. drivers get in the cab, in the cockpit...

[Tilly2]

Well done, Prudie. You thought that through in a much better way than I did.

[baza]

It's because I am rich I travel in the car and never on the bus.

[Peter Pedant]

and a pied but en voiture ?

[Tilly2]

When I get my bus pass, I plan to use the bus as much as possible. I am not rich.

[carrust]

Does one get on the nest;-)

[MichaelZZ]

If one is lucky!

[carrust]

Once ones on the nest is one in it ?

[bookbinder]

When you are 'on' something, the implication is that there is some space above and to the sides, as in the days when buses had open tops. You are on a bed if you are sitting on it, but not covered by the duvet. If you are 'in' the bed, you are enclosed by the duvet. If you are 'in' something, that is just a short way of saying 'inside', which implies that you are enclosed in some kind of container, such as a car.
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/251/origin-reason-for-the-expression-on-the-bus-instead-of-in-the-bus

[Obiter]

PP same as in English. By or on foot. by or in the car.

[Obiter]

I think Tilly was right first time. If you have to climb to board you are 'on' it, but if not then you are 'in' it. So you would be 'on' a ship but 'in' a rowing boat.

[bhg481]

and why is the on THE bus (not on A bus), when there are lots of them. In THE car I can understand because people are likely to be in a particular car.

[Mamyalynne]

I presume that because when you arrive at the bus depot, you don't just board any bus but the bus that is taking the route you require.

[Quizmonster]

As suggested above, it is largely a matter of how much space is involved around the traveller; thus you fly ON a plane but IN a helicopter, you ride IN a cab but ON a horse and so on.

[Old_Geezer]

You could be on the car but beware, you need a firm grip on the roof rack !

[Baldric]

I was very brave on Monday, I used my Bus Pass for the 3rd time in the year I've had it. I didn't get the Nutter sitting next to me, but it took twice as long as the car would have done, it was noisy, uncomfortable and had no Infotainment, not a habit I,m going to get into!

[Tilly2]

When I do get my bus pass, I shall drive to the Park and Ride and take the short journey into town. No more parking fees!

[Baldric]

Tilly, where we are

•Canterbury Park and Ride (you'll still have to pay for parking).