WENDELL - Last Tuesday's dedication ceremony for the new Zebulon Wendell Express bus service was as much a confirmation of success as it was a ceremony.

Ridership in the first couple weeks since the service began has exceeded expectations and local leaders spent much of their time urging constituents to keep it up.

Zebulon Mayor Bob Matheny pointed out that ridership on the new route rivals that of much larger towns like Wake Forest. As of last week, the service, which links the two towns to WakeMed and downtown Raleigh, was drawing an average ridership of about 57 people per day.

The service, which makes three morning rush-hour trips and three return trips during the evening rush hour, has proven popular with local riders.

"In order for this to succeed, we're going to have to have riders," Matheny said.

Wendell Mayor Harold Broadwell said the bus service harkens back to the day when local riders were served by a Trailways bus that ferried people from Wendell to Raleigh. "I've had people tell me, 'This is the greatest thing you've done since you became mayor,'" Broadwell said.

Both mayors agreed that riders will likely be the strongest advocates for the new system.

Raleigh city councilman Russ Stephenson told the crowd of about 75 people that establishing the new route is an important economic step for all the localities involved in the system.

"We're proud to be part of the effort to lead us into a 21st century sustainable economy.

The route makes its first Raleigh stop at WakeMed, where Chief of Staff Judy O'Neil says eastern Wake county employees make up a significant portion of the hospital system's 7,000 employees.

"This new rush hour express service is going to make a huge difference for our employees," O'Neil said.

The service includes stops at park and ride lots on West Gannon Avenue in Zebulon at Compare Foods and in Wendell on Fourth Street across from the historic post office.

In addition to the stop at WakeMed, the route takes riders to the Moore Square terminal where they can catch other buses to locations throughout the Triangle.

Fares have been waived through the end of November. Beginning in December, rides will cost $2.50 for a one-way trip and $5 for a round-trip ticket. TTA also offers discount fares. Capital Area Transit actually operates the bus under an agreement with TTA. Dennis Wilson is the driver.

The town of Knightdale remains in negotiations with two property owners to establish park and ride lots in that town which would serve riders on a separate route into Raleigh.