For not the first time this decade, Berrien County commissioners addressed an ongoing issue this week: connectivity.

Deterred by a seeming lack of support for a plan to consolidate public transit due to a $1.5 million price tag, the commissioners and transportation coordinator went back to the drawing board.

This time, the county leaders are considering test driving a solution. The proposed pilot program would cost a fraction of the price — roughly $100,000 — and would maximize on services already in place.

Berrien Bus currently coordinates services with three other public transit systems in the county to provide rides with 24 hours’ notice. The pilot program would expand upon the hours available by Berrien Bus, and would transport riders across the county.

Although there was a lack of support for a millage to fund the consolidation option, we still feel there is a need for services to connect the county. As Niles area residents, we understand the trek required to get to medical appointments and utilize some county services in north county. We understand that there is a portion of our community that requires these services, but has great difficulty reaching the county seat to utilize them.

The pilot program is a great compromise — offering necessary services at a much lower price tag.

We appreciate our county commissioners for working dilligently to eliminate the north/south divide, focusing on unifying our county and offering residents transportation to the services they need and deserve access to.

Opinions expressed are those of general manager Ambrosia Neldon, managing editor Sarah Culton and sports editor Scott Novak.