Go green and leave your car at home! Such a great message and during the last weeks of snow you would have thought that is just the time to jump on the band wagon.

The problem is that, as I drove by in my Eco-friendly car I noticed the sidewalks leading up to the bus stops were completely covered in snow. Those pedestrians that were brave enough, or just willing to take their life in their hands, inched along the roadway while cars went by. On top of that, was the not so nice realization that even if I wanted to stand at the bus stop I couldn’t. The city plowed the snow two, to three feet high, and the walkways and bus stops were no exception. Knee deep mountains of the sludgy white stuff awaited any persons heroic steps to transit.

In our local paper a poor 80+ year old man recounted that after making his way to the bus stop, the bus driver did not see him. Realizing he was on his own, he decided to start walking. He fell flat on his back and remained undetected by passing motorist for some time before finally being seen by a family. They kindly drove him in their van, back to his home where he is recovering from his transit nightmare.  Thankful for the good Samaritans, not so warm feeling for the city crews, snow conditions and bus.

I really felt for that man and others who valiantly braved the cold, and used the transit we are all encouraged to embrace. I would consider using transit, but there are some draw backs, snow or no snow. I was aware of this while in the comfort of warm car, listening to my tunes.

First of all, I only needed to shovel my way from my back door to the car. Thankfully I didn’t have to worry whether my car would be there on time and it can’t drive away without me. Next, the hours spent circumnavigating the city to get from point A to point B always seems to be quicker in my car than by transit. In the time it takes some buses to get to a destination, I could have been there and back again.

Somehow, I am also not interested in taking Vancouver’s SkyTrain. This above ground system seems to have its share of below ground losers that congregate around to hassle riders. How many times last year did we hear of attacks on people, especially women. TransLink’s answer was to give women a pink whistle, that was less than encouraging for me. Their own security and safety video may have eased the mind of some, but the fact it has to be advertised may indicate a public relations intervention was required.

It certainly eased my mind (not) when in pointing out the silent alarm bar, the CEO Kelsey states “probably by the time you get to next station you will have a sky train attendant or police officer or some authority respond to check the car, to check that everyone seems OK”. That helps to know that “probably” somebody will be there. Once I’m off the train, walking to my next stop, well that is even more risky. Glad I have that pink whistle.

I’m sorry that my “Greenness”  does not extend to using transit. I like the comfort of my warm car, not the braving of the elements as I stand and wait at the transit stops. I can control the air in my car, which means body odor and harsh perfumes don’t permeate my senses. The music is soothing, the visuals are my choice and by God, if I so choose I can take another route if need be. Oh…the freedom! Insert the picture of my hair flowing in the wind as I stick my head out my side window, like a happy puppy.

When transit fulfills my core needs; safety, availability, friendly service, timely arrivals and departures, plenty of space so that I’m not in the armpit of Joe, the pillow for snoring Pete or the prey for a pervert, then maybe I will consider it. Until then, I will stay in my Eco-car, green enough with its gas consumption but bright orange as it makes it way down the street.