Voting is now closed in the final round of the Name the Gabriola Community Bus Service poll. A total of 228 votes have been cast, and the results are as follows: GERTIE (Gabriola Environmentally Responsible Trans-Island Express): 61 votes, Gabriola Shuttle: 35, Gabriola Shuffle: 30, The Bus: 23, Magic Bus: 18, Gab Bus: 16, The Islander: 14, Gabriola Gertie: 13, Brickyard Flyer: 9 and Seagull: 9.
The name GERTIE as an acronym (Gabriola’s Environmentally Responsible Transport for Islanders Express) was originally suggested by Diane Green. This was subsequently changed, with Diane’s support, to Gabriola Environmentally Responsible Trans-Island Express, following a suggestion from Joan Eamer. In fact several other versions that included the name “Gertie” were suggested by others, including, Ken Gurr, Vicki Vitesse and Deb Scott. A real Gabriola community effort!
So the bus service will be GERTIE (Gabriola Environmentally Responsible Trans-Island Express). The Gabriola Community Bus Committee is planning to use two buses, and there is the potential to choose names for both of those – probably at a later date.
Thanks to everyone who suggested names and voted in the two rounds – and thanks to Steven Earle for arranging the vote.