I'm hoping this is useful. Boring granted, but useful.
London bus stops
Right on top - letter indicating the stop - not all routes on the same road use the same stop because there are too many buses so they are spread out over a larger area.
Right across the top in red Some stops say BUS STOP (the bus will stop regardless of passengers) or REQUEST STOP (only stops for people at the stop or people on the bus wishing to get off)
In grey - where you are. Often a nearby street junction, a landmark such as a pub or church or school.
Underneath the grey is your direction of travel - which way up or down the route you're headed. This is useless for non locals as you don't know which way. Check inside the stop shelter for the route on the large map (see below)
The yellow squares show which number route will stop at this stop. Nearby stops will have different numbers.
YELLOW MEANS NO CASH but all buses are now no cash.
An N on the route is simply a night bus. They have similar but not exact routes to the same number day bus.
In the shelter should be a large map and a small map. Often in the same frame.
Large - shows where the routes from this stop go and other nearby routes. There is an A-Z of destinations available from the stop.
Small - is a more local street map showing the letters on the top of the bus stop. Every single bus stop in the close vicinity has a letter so you can find the stop and route.
Drivers are mostly kind folk. When you get on, ask them to stop for you at SELFRIDGES for example. But most of the buses now have a GPS thing that tells you next stop is... Sometimes spoken, usually displayed behind the stairs.
And don't be afraid to clearly ask the driver DO YOU GO PAST THE ALBERT HALL? NO, WHICH ROUTE DOES?
Stops aren't that far apart. If you realise you went wrong just get off.
PAYING
Oyster - touch the pad
Contactless card - touch the pad
Travel card bought at a tube or train station - hold it up to the glass to show the driver who gives an imperceptible nod.