Bus commuters were surprised to find the leader of the country sitting and chatting with them on the Number 8 service to Hamilton yesterday when Premier Alex Scott fulfilled his promise to travel to work by public transport to launch a sustainability consultation and plan for Bermuda.

It's been a long time since Mr. Scott last caught a bus in Bermuda, in fact he last did so in 1967 while banned from the road for speeding on his Mobylette moped.

With the sun shining he walked from his Paget home to the bus stop near the junction of Middle Road and Chapel Road and explained he wanted to show other Bermudians they can also make a difference by finding an alternative way of getting to and from work rather than using their car or bike.

Even if they make the effort only once a month it will go someway to helping Bermuda be a better place with less pollution and less traffic congestion.

That was Mr. Scott's message as he boarded the bus, tendered in coins his $3 fare, and was greeted by driver Ivan Trott.

The Premier was on his way to the Cabinet office to officially launch a new phase of public consultation on the draft of the Sustainability Development Strategy and Implementation Plan.

Once on the bus he chatted with other passengers during the six-minute journey to Hamilton. Passenger Reynaldo Baisas said it was the first time he had seen the Premier in person. He said he always used the bus and agreed more people should be encouraged to use public transport, as did Alison Bailey, of Paget, who travels by bus four or five times a week and added: "I'm very happy with the bus."

Pamela Tucker, of Somerset, who sat beside Mr. Scott when he first got on the bus, said: "I was surprised to see him. The bus is very good and it's usually on time, more people should use it."

And Michelle Ming, from Devonshire, said she had not expected to see the Premier on the bus but supported the message he was trying to get across to others that they should use public transport as an alternative.

She added: "Most of the time you can get a seat. Going home it can be busy. It is a more relaxing way to travel. It's good to see him (Mr. Scott) on the bus.

"It costs $55 for a one-month pass and I'm sure people with cars spend more than that on gas each month."

Mr. Scott agreed. He said the $3 fare was cheaper than using his chauffeur-driven GP1 Government car, and the six-minute ride had been quicker.

The Premier conceded that his bus ride might not have made much a difference to Bermuda's sustainability but it was a symbolic gesture to encourage others to do something similar, and if everyone opted to forgo their car or bike for a day and use public transport or an alternative way to get to work that would make an impact.