Public transit is as much a part of the nation's infrastructure as highways, sanitation systems and other civil needs. Once in a while I hear, as background noise, references to upgrading our country’s infrastructure. The economy’s chaotic credit system is getting all the attention and billions of dollars are being made available to prop it up.

The confusion over what to do now that gas prices have dropped will test how well transit authorities hang on to their big ridership increases from the past four months. Obviously, gas prices were the reason for the 10-percent-or-more boost in ridership numbers across the country this past summer.

A United Parcel Service (UPS) official was the featured speaker at a large community gathering recently. In his speech, he described how the UPS delivery fleet is computer programmed in a manner so that delivery trucks make only right-hand turns on their route as often as possible.

A recent ad for Chevron in the The Wall Street Journal featured a two-page spread showing in large script the words: "I will leave my car at home more" — words similar to those used in ads put forth by many transit agencies. I thought for sure they were promoting public transportation until I read the rest of the ad.

We talk about how escalating gas prices are favorably affecting ridership. Little is said about the other favorable fallout: how the flurry of ridership increases has pushed transit services beyond capacity, forcing agencies to bolster their fleets.

Paul Weyrich is a widely respected conservative supporter of public transportation, to the extent that companies and suppliers to the transit industry have contributed heavily to his research efforts. Recently, Weyrich commented on what appears to be the Federal Transit Administration favoring bus rapid transit (BRT) over light rail transit.

Census data in 2006 revealed that no more than 5 percent of U. S. workers use public transportation. The price of gasoline is affecting all auto manufacturers and forcing them to take drastic action ...

The price of gas is front page news these days. Over-the-road truckers are at a point where fueling their vehicles eats up their profits and literally their livelihood. Airlines are looking for ways to stay aloft via surcharges...

Between now and November, we will be drowning in the presidential campaign, and everything but the topic of public transportation will be discussed. Have you heard any talk by any of the candidates about public transportation or about funding it?