But budget proposals in all three eastern Wake County towns include funds for mass transit. That’s heartening.

The Triangle Transit Authority has asked all three towns to step up to the plate and help foot the bill for bus service from eastern Wake County to Raleigh, where commuters could go to work, or catch another bus to their destination.

TTA isn’t asking the three towns for a lot of money — $20,000 each. They are also asking other partners to participate in the cost. Officials with TTA hope to have bus service started for eastern Wake residents later this year. They will apply for grant funding to help pay a portion of that cost. Having the three towns to be served on board is almost a necessity if grants are to be part of the funding equation.

Grantors typically look for the beneficiaries of grant funds to have some skin in the game.

In this case, all three eastern Wake County towns seem to understand this and they’ve ponied up accordingly.

Mass transit has become a crucial need of the local infrastructure system. As people cast wide nets seeking employment, transportation can sometimes be an obstacle for people who don’t live near work centers — people like eastern Wake County residents.

Financial support from Wendell, Knightdale and Zebulon is no guarantee that all the money needed will be raised.

But we are glad to see the towns are willing to put money behind their words.

As commissioners in all three towns spend time over the next couple months cutting budgets and adjusting line items, we hope they will continue to see the value of mass transportation to the people of this region.

Like many other options pursued by leaders in this area, this is an opportunity to get a service worth a great deal more than the towns are being asked to pay for it.

That’s sound financial practice no matter how you cut it.

Johnny Whitfield Managing Editor