Public transportation looking better all the time

Who would have guessed that word of a station selling gas for $4 a gallon would spread rapidly - because it's a bargain price.

Expensive gas is changing lifestyles, and people are doing things they'd never considered before, including carpooling, cutting vacation travel and riding bicycles to work and to do errands.

What's next ... people using public transportation?

Well, why not?

It can save you money and, around the country, transit systems report increasing ridership. In fact, if the trend continues, highway planners may be granted some relief in their quest to build more and more roads to handle increasing traffic. Nationwide, the number of miles driven by motorists is actually decreasing, something that hasn't happened for three decades.

The key now will be to have public transportation readily available for people feeling the pinch of high gas prices.

The idea for Jump Around Carson to extend service to Lyon and Storey counties is a great one that couldn't come at a better time. We urge officials from those counties to give it their full support. While the short-term proposal would add bus service only two days a week, it could be a first step toward a system that might be able to be used by commuters traveling to work in Carson City.

It's also time for planners to begin thinking about a more extensive public transportation system between Reno and Carson City.

After all, it may not be long before gas at $5 a gallon is considered a bargain.

• This editorial represents the view of the Nevada Appeal Editorial Board.