let's go vancouver!

So... here's a recap,
VANOC's plan
1) KNOW - they estimated 268,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases would be emitted from the Games
2) REDUCE - they reduced their fuel use and integrated LEED green principles into planning and operations that reduced emissions by 57,000 tonnes
3) OFFSET - VANOC teams up with Offsetters, and together helps grow the clean technology sector in BC and contribute to the shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources
and lastly,
4) ENABLE & INSPIRE -increase awareness and get others to "do their part"

So how much of this awareness got to people? Did others actually "do their part"? Or will anyone care now that the Games are over? In "The Province" newspaper it stated that according to city statistics, Vancouver reduced traffic downtown by 30% in time for the opening ceremony. Another stat found was that 88% of people voted that they would like to see more frequent SeaBus and SkyTrain service over more hours. The city should take this information and do a trial period where they put in more frequent SeaBus and SkyTrain service throughout the city, market it, and see if the percentage of locals will actually make the decision to switch and start taking public transportation. So it'll be interesting to see if they actually take the feedback and get more locals on board with taking greener options for their everyday transportation.

However, lets not forget that there are still the Paralympic Games starting March 12, 2010. A statement was released yesterday by VANOC (http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/2010-olympic-transportation-plan-a-success_303738sk.html) stating that they were extremely happy with the transportation choices that citizens made during the February 12-28th period, and that the urge them to keep travelling smart throughout the next phase of the Games. However, they are also not having as many road closures as there were before, so there's a good chance that was the main reason for people taking public transportation and that now they will go back to their regular routine and route for getting to/from work. It will be interesting to see just how much those record numbers in my post "is no one driving" drops when the Paralympic Games are in Vancouver.