When the Wood River Valley finally has a true north-south regional transit service, riders will benefit from years of patient work up and down the valley by believers who counted one success at a time, no matter how small, as a sign of progress.
Small though it may seem, but large in the reality of fulfilling a vision, the city of Hailey added to the improved efficiency of Peak Bus service loading zones by officially authorizing bus stops on Main Street.
This achieves important ends. Bus stops are advertisements that a transit system is operating and thus provides known gathering places for riders. And with the official city designations, bus stops add to the authenticity of transit as an important tool in municipal life.
This week, the cities of Sun Valley and Ketchum began to draft an agreement that could create an enlarged regional bus service that may eventually include participation by all Wood River Valley communities. It's a first step for dealing with growing traffic congestion.
As the fluctuating and unpredictable cost of gasoline bedevils drivers, and driving becomes more frustrating, bus service will become the wheels of choice for yet more commuters.
Although still far off, the prospect of an even more ambitious transit system can be envisioned as the result of a new airport located in south Blaine County. Bus service would be essential to hundreds of airport construction workers initially and then passengers as well as permanent airport service personnel and ancillary businesses located nearby.
The immediate task for communities is to remain steadfast in their commitment to transit service and not falter.
