Minister Gormley using alternative transport
As pressure grows around the country over the proposed cuts to Bus Éireann routes, the Green Party has denied that cutting public transportation is bad for the environment or contradicts their campaign promises. They say the media always tends to look on the downside and point out that tons of carbon emissions could be saved by taking dirty, fuel-inefficient buses off the roads.
“People should look at it as a wonderful opportunity to use alternative transport,” said one Green Party member. “Some of the bus routes to be axed are in the most picturesque parts of the country. Take the Cong to Galway route – tourists from all over the world marvel at the scenic beauty of that stretch, and we are asking locals to marvel as well as they walk, cycle, or sail instead of bouncing along in a bus.”
When asked whether displaced bus passengers would drive instead, increasing traffic and pollution, the member shook her head, saying the question showed a complete lack of understanding of the typical bus passenger.
“These people don’t tend to have cars,” she said. “They’re likely to be unemployed, elderly, or penniless students, and they are the very people who would benefit most from fresh Irish air and a bit of exercise. It’s part of the win-win beauty of these cutbacks – not only will we reduce our carbon emissions, but we’ll have a healthier population. I might also suggest they meditate on the colour green while walking or cycling, breathing deeply and saying “ohm.” It will help bring down their stress levels if they are in a rush, improve their mental health, and it might even help us at the polls.”
