Riding the bus: why not give it a shot?
By Carly Ma

s I sat in traffic one summer
A«: I noticed that the people
walking on the street were

moving faster than I was, and I was
driving! I started to wonder, why don’t
I take public transportation? Like most
kids, growing up I dreamt of having
my own car; the style, the colour, the
size, and the brand. So, when given
the opportunity to drive, I didn’t
consider giving it up. When dreaming
of owning a car as a child however,
you forget to factor in the cost of the
car, insurance, gas and parking. You
also forget the traffic and the fact that
driving is dangerous.

Give public transportation
a shot and you will soon realize
how accessible it is. With the
newly built Canada line, you are
able to go from the Vancouver
Airport to Downtown Waterfront in
approximately ten minutes. Visitors
to Vancouver often compliment
our city on the convenience of

 

should be greater promotion of

the alternatives. There are long-

term positive effects of reducing

greenhouse gases and they should be

specified and promoted in the media.
According to Statistics Canada,

“people aged 18 and over who went

“Whether you are able to make a long-term commitment or a
smaller commitment to occasionally use public transportation,
bussing is a great start to make your own personal impact in saving
the earth.”

 

our public transportation system.
SkyTrains, buses and SeaBuses
offer a wide array of convenient,
safe, and environmentally friendly
transportation opinions. Taking
advantage of these alternatives will
significantly reduce the amount of
money you spend monthly on gas,
parking and maintenance fees.

If we all reduce the amount
of time we spend driving, we can
reduce our carbon emissions. Harmful
greenhouse gases are emitted from
cars that contribute to global warming.
Whether you are able to make a
long-term commitment or a smaller
commitment to occasionally use
public transportation, bussing is a
great start to make your own personal
impact in saving the earth.

Media advertisement from
automobile companies such as
Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Audi
promote a lifestyle more than the
car itself. Our society highly values
materialism. Instead of emphasizing
lifestyle in car ownership, there

everywhere by car — as either a driver
or a passenger — rose from 68% in
1992, to...74% in 2005.” Dependence
on the automobile will continue to rise
if we continue to purchase and use
cars. So, what is it that keeps us in our
cars as opposed to walking, biking, or
taking public transportation?

Why aren’t you bussing? Is it
because it is “more convenient” to
drive, or perhaps public transportation
is unappealing to you? Whatever
reasons prevent you from using public
transportation every day, or just once
a day, a week, or month, consider the
amount of carbon you are emitting
into the environment. Next time you
find yourself complaining about being
stuck in traffic, the amount of “bad
drivers” out there and the amount
of money you spend using your car,
know that there are other options.
Also, know that we all need to start
taking responsibility for the earth.

 

Fuming? Nodding? Tell us what you think;
contact opinions @ theotherpress.ca with your

 

opinions about this or any other article

 

 

 

Olympic lessons

 

What can we learn from the past two weeks?

By Trevor Doré, Opinions Editor

ill the Olympics yield the
economic returns in jobs
and tourism as promised

by the legacy? Since the acquisition
of the Olympics, the topic has been
fraught with debate. And, chances
are the debate will continue into

the future as we deal with what
some might call an Olympic-sized
hangover. So now that all of the
work and money has been invested
and the party is over, what can be
learned from our Olympic triumphs,
trials and tribulations?

On an individual level, we
learned that where there’s a will
there is a way. The amount of
dedication and determination on
behalf of each and every athlete
should serve as a lesson to all of us.
Amazing feats can be accomplished
when we put our hearts and minds

On a global level, we have seen
firsthand the millions of dollars

- that are invested in new and old

infrastructure in order to bring them
up to an Olympic standard. And
although we will presumably be
able to benefit from these upgrades
throughout the future, the Olympics
will continue to change the face of
cities around the world. Billions of
dollars will be invested in areas to
bring them up to par.

Like all lessons, there are
always suggestions about how to
proceed in the future. Therefore,

I have one suggestion. Instead of
globetrotting every two years, the
Winter and Summer Olympics
should be held in two specific,
permanent locations. These two
locations could be brought up to
Olympic standard and designated as
official Olympic cities.

Although these locations may

“Instead of globetrotting every two years, the Winter and
Summer Olympics should be held in two specific, permanent
locations. These two locations could be brought up to Olympic
standard and designated as official Olympic cities.”

into our work. Furthermore, if there
is enough power behind an idea,
people will come together and make
it happen. Billions of dollars and
planning hours were poured into the
Olympics. This is something that we
have seen time and time again; just
think what could be accomplished if
we invest this kind of time, energy,
power and money into some of the
serious issues of our time.

On a community level, we have
seen how such an event can unite us.
For two weeks, the city was brought
together in an all-out party, filled in
general with a genuine sense of pride
and camaraderie. The environment _
created when roads are shut down in
order to make way for pedestrians is
like no other. Hopefully, more people
also realized that public transit is
a practical form of transportation
especially to and form and in and
around Vancouver. Given the name
“No Fun City,” perhaps Vancouver
has realized that celebrations can be
held without all hell breaking loose.
Overall, encouraging people to get
out and about and interact is a great
way to build community.

end up being semi-permanent—
given those who seek change
for the sake of change and the
undeniable uncertainty of the
earth’s climate—think about what
could be done with the money that
has been used in the past to bring
infrastructure up to-standard. It could
be invested in sports programs for
the underprivileged, making the
Olympics a truly worldwide event.
Or, it could be used to fund global
initiatives for the greater good;
there are numerous options. Cities
would be able to concentrate on their
individual needs instead of building
lavish infrastructure for a two-week
party.

Whether or not there will be
an economic return on our Olympic
investment is yet to be seen and
doubtful. However, the past two
weeks have been about much more
than economics and will, no doubt,
be remembered forever. Some will
take lessons for the triumphs while
others will try and learn from the
tribulations.

Regardless, there is always a
lesson to be learned.

15

fon