LJWorld.com

Ready or not, Lawrence apparently is going to get a public bus system.

No one really knows whether a fixed-route bus service will work in Lawrence.

But it looks like we're going to have the opportunity to find out.

Lawrence city commissioners decided Wednesday to go full speed ahead on planning for a public bus system. Because they were in a study session, rather than an official business meeting, commissioners couldn't officially hire a consulting firm to help formulate plans for a new bus system, but the consultant was at Wednesday's meeting and already asking questions.

The vision that emerged from the meeting is a small bus system that starts off with four or five routes and charges fares of 25 to 50 cents per ride. The system would operate from about 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and, hopefully, team up with the existing Kansas University student bus system. The city would accept about $2 million in federal grant money available for public transportation and plan to add about $1 million in local tax money to the pot in the next year to get a bus system off the ground.

After years of debate, the election of three new city commissioners in favor of such a system has suddenly put the plans on the fast track. As one public transportation supporter said after Wednesday's meeting, "It's going to happen."

It's going to happen, but the question of whether Lawrence needs or will support a public transportation system remains. Support for the concept of public transportation seems to have grown in recent years, but whether that philosophical support will translate into actual rider support remains to be seen.

No one -- not supporters, opponents, officials or consultants -- believe that the proposed system will make money or break even. The $1 million investment envisioned by city commissioners will require a tax increase of about 2 mills in the first year. No one thinks that revenue from fares will come even close to covering the cost of operating a bus system.

What might the costs be in years to come? It's true that voters knowingly elected three commissioners who had stated their support of public transportation, but if taxpayers are going to subsidize this system indefinitely with higher taxes, should they be given an opportunity to vote specifically on this issue? Should city commissioners impose this tax without seeking taxpayer approval?

Providing public transportation is a service that supporters think Lawrence should provide for its residents. People who have cars probably aren't going to leave them at home to ride a city bus, but public transportation would give youngsters under driving age, elderly residents and people who can't afford a car a way to get to shopping centers, doctor's appointments, recreation activities and jobs.

City officials are wise to think small as they consider embarking on this public transportation voyage. It's better to start small and add routes as they are needed than to start big and have to cut services down the road.

If a public transportation system is initiated, it will be interesting to look back in five or 10 years and see what effect it has had on Lawrence and what it has cost local taxpayers. It probably won't have reduced traffic in town, but it may provide a service that most taxpayers think is worth the investment.

It's a grand experiment that Lawrence may be willing to spend several million dollars to conduct. But before commissioners move ahead on their plan, a public vote might be in order to make sure the public shares their commitment.