And, while that concern is a legitimate one, it's important to note a new service, scheduled to begin in just a few short weeks.

Triangle Transit Authority, with the help of a number of partners, including the towns of Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon, is about ready to lift the cover on express bus service between the three eastern Wake County towns and downtown Raleigh.

Surveys and comments at public meetings have suggested a strong desire for this service.

When the service begins, sometime in mid-October, it will be important that residents here make use of it.

TTA's initial contract calls for the agency to provide the service for three years. After that, ridership will go a long way toward determining if the service is continued.

We trust there is no shortage of people who would make use of the service, but the truth is, the proof will be in the pudding.

If history is any indicator, the ZWX route, as it is being called, could be a success from the first day.

In Wake Forest, ridership began at high levels and hasn't moved much since then. Fortunately for the leaders in Wake Forest, the service began at a time when gasoline costs were in the $4 per gallon range.

Fuel prices have moderated a bit since then, but the volatile nature of that market means the future of gasoline costs is murky at best.

Even if gas prices remain steady, it will be important for residents to take advantage of a service they have said they wanted.