During a trip abroad about ten years ago, I was forced by default to defer all of my transportation needs to the Mexican public bus system.

The bus is your friend.

I was studying in Guadalajara, living with a “house mom,” and rooming with other Americans who had come to the city for the same purpose. As we all trucked down with Elsa, our house mom, to the bus stop the first morning, she was quickly firing off Spanish instructions for how to catch the bus, when to know it’s full, where the numbers are and how to get off of the bus.

It took about a day for us to fall in love with the old, beat up Mercedes busses that wheeled around. That was also when I fell in love with public transit. It was insanely efficient. Plus, I could do my homework while riding.

Fast forward a few years. Living in Southern California, land of far-sprawling suburbs, a car was absolutely necessary, but you did get some super benefits for carpooling. A 7 mile commute equates to about 45 minutes solo. If you’re part of a carpool, though, then it’s a brisk 20 minute jaunt to the office via the exclusive carpool lane. Fortunately, I was only two blocks from the Metrolink station and could take the train to/from work, assuming I didn’t need to go anywhere else during the day other than the office and could arrive by 8 am and leave by 4:45 pm. Not ideal, but I tried it a few times and thoroughly enjoyed not sitting in gridlock traffic.

Then there was New York City. I talked my husband into bunking with family for a few weeks, and we got a slice of the city life taking the subway everywhere we needed to go. He was sold. I knew he would be. What’s not to like? A train that comes on time every few minutes and takes you right where you need to be; and cheap at that!

Soon, soon, soon. (Photo: vb.gov)

During our semi-retirement a few years back we were in Europe for a few months backpacking, and therefore carless, relying solely on trains and busses. We experienced not one issue trying to get where we needed to go across the entire continent.

So that’s the back story of my enduring love for public and alternative transportation. Not only do I admire its efficient nature, but the environmental benefits are far superior than each one of us putt-putting along highway-bound, all alone.

All of this brings me to today. Today, I get the opportunity to live, dream, breath all things green. It’s not just about me. It’s about what I can do as one individual to inspire others which is what the Alternative Transportation Pledge program is all about.

Together with AltDaily, Green Alternatives is encouraging and rewarding locals for pledging to take some form of alternative transportation tomorrow, Earth Day’s 40^th Birthday. Just for pledging you’ll receive a collection of discounts and coupons from eco-forward businesses like The Naro Cinema, Diaper Junction, 5 Points Farm Market, and The Space Above Yoga Center, and more.

Even though our public transit program is not really developed here in Hampton Roads, let’s see what you can do!

Click here to sign the pledge, and get the treat sheet emailed right to you.