Frequency and density.
The issue is that frequency and density is low so people become drivers and see transport as more expensive because they already pay the expense of car.
After that it would come via cohesion of the network: fares, navigability, timetabling etc. The fact first group has tap and go and then diamond has its own tap and go that doesn’t sync makes using transport a huge pain in the backside, similarly timetables are on different apps and places making it hard to navigate.
After that, it would come to the cost & hopper fares. Hopper fares allow for rationalisation of the network, lower fares could encourage usage. I like Scotland's idea of giving under 21s a free pass also, market subsidises it similar to the OAP pass but at times younger people are more likely to use.
We have Jehovah’s Witnesses position themselves on key cycle and walking routes where I live and outside catholic schools at start time. I had a door knock once where I took a leaflet and they never came back.
Manchester has a huge amount of Mormons who go there to spread Mormonism supposedly, not sure if they do in reality.
We do then get a few religious fundamentalists on the high streets and the like, the bit by the bull at the bullring is well known for this and sometimes people trying to sell religious texts or flog leaflets asking you about god, they’ll back off if you say you’re not interested.
Of the understanding it’s far less dominant here than over in the states
An orbital railway is needed yes, but it’ll end up being just that and likely resulting from an overground expansion (which I doubt CG want, they were trying to merge devolved railways into GBR) rather than new track (or track to patch in different parts of existing track, new track will defo be needed in east london)
Superloop is a good middle of the road option for now, where we clearly need that orbital public transport connection.