Eagerness to cut the budget in Hammond and the possible demise of township government have raised important questions about the future of bus services offered in Hammond and North Township.

If either of those two units of government cut funding for bus services, what will happen to the riders?

Unfortunately, there's no easy answer.

Hammond City Council President Dan Repay last week recommended eliminating the Hammond Transit Department, saving an estimated $1 million for the city -- a long way toward the $1.3 million in spending the city must cut in 2009 to meet statutory limits.

It's nothing against the department or its director, Keith Matasovsky. "The Hammond Transit Department has been led by one of the most qualified, caring individuals that this city has working for it," Repay wrote in a letter to Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.

Repay wants the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority or the Regional Bus Authority to take over operation of transit services in the city.

Don't look to North Township for help, responded Trustee Frank Mrvan. North Township offers Dial-A-Ride, a free, on-demand transportation service in Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, Munster and Highland.

But the township government might not even exist much longer as Indiana moves to reinvent local government for 21st century realities.

Besides, the township has the same budget restrictions Hammond does.

The RDA isn't a likely savior because its goal is to develop projects, not to provide continuing funding. The RBA is a more logical choice, but the RBA doesn't have continued funding. It is operating on a grant from the RDA.

This drives home the dilemma facing the RBA. As it develops a regional bus service, cobbling together existing services, there's no guarantee the plan will be implemented.

It is vital that the General Assembly provide a permanent funding source for the RBA so mass transit doesn't suffer a mass meltdown.