Dear editor,Friends, Comox Valleyites, countrymen — lend me your ears!I come to praise local transit, not to bury it. I applaud the improvements to our local bus system with the introduction of express service to Comox.I hope that will increase ridership in our system and the new route will be justified at the end of the trial period. We have reason to be proud of our transit system, being one of the fastest-growing in B.C.With the increasing cost of fuel, there will be more people who can no longer afford to drive their vehicles and the transit option will be available for them.Also there is a growing senior population, many of whom do not own vehicles who will be happy to see improved service.The nature of public transportation is not a profit-making operation so it must be heavily subsidized through our taxes – I, for one, am only too happy that the transit system is supported through my taxes.I encourage those who have never rode on our local buses to give it a try. We have the friendliest bus drivers you’ll find anyplace. C. Olsen,Courtenay