P on the bus
Premier Alex Scott’s decision to ride the bus in to work this morning has attracted a mixed response from his fellow commutersi
“I had to sit next to the Premier the whole way here,” grumbled one man as he disembarked. “He spent the whole journey banging on about his bleddy sustainable development plan. I just wanted to read my book.”
A young woman who had to stand for the journey in to Hamilton because the bus was full said that Mr. Scott had told her that in an independent Bermuda everyone would have a seat.
When told that the Premier was also encouraging his fellow MPs to make more use of the bus, one passenger asked whether that would include Government backbencher Renee Webb. “I don’t mind giving up my seat for an elderly or pregnant person,” he said, “But she’d expect us all to stand!”
A Government spokesman denied rumours that the Premier had GP1 follow behind with his briefcase.
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But did the bus have motorcycle escorts? Was it on time? Did the bus driver yell at him?
Posted by Zoom on 20.07.06 at 14:12
He P'd on the bus?
Posted by Zoom on 20.07.06 at 14:14
Now I'd like to see P take his own suggestion and ride the bus to work at least once a month! PULEEEZE!
Posted by Tiggy on 20.07.06 at 14:16
Did he have to pay? Have exact change or a bus token?????
Posted by Tiggy on 20.07.06 at 14:17
"P' takes Number Two today" would have been a much better headline. Curse you PTB numbering system! ;)
Posted by Adjustah on 20.07.06 at 14:18
Am I hearing this correctly? The Premier was not enough of a gentleman to offer his seat to ladies who were forced to stand?
I suppose in the era of 2006 and "equality" that is acceptable, though I would have expected better from someone so eager to set a good example.
Posted by Denis Pitcher on 20.07.06 at 14:48
The young woman claimed she had a right to a seat, but P rebutted that if a court case determined that was the case, then he would consider letting her sit.
Posted by eh on 20.07.06 at 14:49
It's a noble idea to show support for public transport, copied of course from politicians abroad. Now if P had led by example on reducing travel expenses, reasonable wage increases and listening to public opinion on Independence then we could take this episode more seriously. Sorry to be so cynical but it's just more grandstanding.
Posted by Ali on 20.07.06 at 14:51
The opposition has called for a full scale investigation into the affair claiming mis-use of government property. Claims of double-dipping were bandied about as the Premier clearly had other means of transportation, namely GP1, at his disposal.
Posted by SmokingGun on 20.07.06 at 15:26
Denis,
Please see the irony point at the beginning of Phil's post.
As you were...........
Posted by loki on 20.07.06 at 15:33
Good for him. I don't care if it was political grandstanding, he's making a good point and we should judge the gesture on those merits. Now if only the transport minister would follow suit...
Posted by TJL on 20.07.06 at 15:37
Breaking News: Dr. Ewart Brown, Minister of Transportation, has decided he too shall start taking the bus to work. In related news, a new custom built coach with sunroof, wet bar and 200 watt speakers was just off-loaded at Hamilton Docks.
Posted by SmokingGun on 20.07.06 at 15:53
SMOKEY, You crack me up bye!
Posted by Ali on 20.07.06 at 16:09
lol smokes.
This isn't a caption thread you know.
;-)
Posted by ace on 20.07.06 at 16:21
Yeah I know but I'm out of here for a little sailing adventure so I won't be around for tomorrow's. Still, I think a wet bar would do wonders for getting people to leave their cars at home. ;-)
Posted by SmokingGun on 20.07.06 at 16:46
If 'P' got on the bus in Paget, no doubt there were no free seats, but of course everyone would have had to stand up when he got on, and thats when he made his move!
Posted by Slowhand on 20.07.06 at 19:02
I also heard that he took the 9:30am bus into town. Oh for the life of a PLP politician: Late starts, nice expense accounts, big pay increases and chauffeur-driver cars.
Posted by Paradise Found on 20.07.06 at 19:14
I hear this idea was taken from the UBP, but they were waiting to hear from their constituents whether or not taking the bus was a good idea and whether, if there were a lady without a seat, it was protocol to stand up and offer their seat or stand their ground and keep it. They still haven't come to a decision.
Posted by The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 20.07.06 at 19:18
Given the gov's relaxed approach to expenses, at least P only took the bus
Posted by goosay on 20.07.06 at 20:59
Did he use his blackberry while on the bus - thus giving the impression that he has learned how to use it finally.
Posted by Wickering Banker :-) *---: on 21.07.06 at 06:30
Umm, so was the Regiment guy he had with him a bodyguard? How funny! Now THAT is a mixed message!
"Taking the bus helps sustain our environment, but for god's sake take protection with you!"
Posted by Tiger Bay on 21.07.06 at 08:45
Well at least the Regiment guy rides the bus for free.
Posted by Darkside on 21.07.06 at 09:07
lol slowhand...you too Uncle E.
Some real gems in this thread.
Posted by ace on 21.07.06 at 09:07
The real question should be whether he took the bus home too...
And how did he find it during the day in town without a vehicle? I'd like to hear his thoughts on that.
Oh wait... his car probably came into town too, right?
Posted by Hello, my name is Somers and I am a Bermudian on 21.07.06 at 09:13
Too bad he didn't take when the schools were still in, he'd have discovered the real joy of riding the bus. Oh yeah Dennis, it was a joke.
Posted by juicy on 21.07.06 at 10:53
I dont think Dennis is gullable, with this bunch of clowns(PLP) anything is possible.
Posted by Rev Goat on 21.07.06 at 13:50
The premier does not have a chauffer he has a driver provided by the bermuda regiment (the guy on the bus ) as does the governor. I see nothing wrong with that. And yes judge the action by the merit.
Posted by busguy on 21.07.06 at 15:00
gesture politics!!!!
Like we need more of this.
Posted by teacher on 21.07.06 at 21:16
When will this Governement do something that will make a difference to the average working person??? Housing perhaps?
Riding on the bus once is nothing more than a photo op and he knows it. PLP must be getting pretty desperate if they resort to pathetic pranks like this.
If he'd sat next to me, I'd have farted and aimed it at him.
Posted by Omni Bus on 21.07.06 at 21:32
..right Alex - now do something worthwhile for someone other than yourself.
Posted by 97 'orsepower omnibus on 21.07.06 at 21:35
"Premier Alex Scott fulfilled his promise to travel to work by public transport to launch a "sustainability consultation and plan for Bermuda."
Will this sustainability consultation be a fully exhaustive plan, printed on high gloss paper, shipped into Bermuda from overeas, on a carbon emitting ship or plane?
Posted by teacher on 21.07.06 at 21:37
Put it on the Government web portal instead
Posted by teacher on 21.07.06 at 21:38
While P wants us to travel on buses his buddy Ewart is bringing in Mega ships with 4000 overweight yanks on it to bus down to the beaches and town.
P says to thereporter....."Please Bermuda ...dont get in the way of the Bermuda Governments tax dollars, we need more for our pay rises and travel expenditure"
Posted by Rincewind on 21.07.06 at 22:03
I don't see what is so special about Premium Scott catching the bus. I've been catching the number 6 for decades and never once did they put my picture in the paper.
What's so special about him I'd like to know?
I'd like to know!
MM
Posted by Mildred Mellie on 22.07.06 at 07:42