The big question hanging over Amtran’s proposal to extend bus service by two hours into the evenings is whether the ridership will continue to exist to justify that additional transportation availability indefinitely.

That is not a question limited to Amtran. Any transportation entity pondering or implementing extension of service, whether it be hours of operation or additional routes, faces uncertainty over whether the novelty of that additional service will devolve into lackadaisical interest and support over time.

Any new or modified service must be monitored closely to gauge whether the hoped-for results are being attained. If not, there is no sense keeping the expanded service operating — at least not in the way the expansion was first envisioned and implemented.

If the public wants the expanded service to continue, it must remain loyal to it. That means using it regularly, not sporadically.

Beginning the expanded service at a time when the daylight lasts longer makes sense, to build confidence among those potential riders who might be squeamish about such travel during hours of darkness.

For many riders, the “longer days” hopefully will build confidence for when “shorter days” return.

As reported in the Feb. 27 Mirror, the local transit authority is considering two options: Extending service to 7:30 or 8 p.m. for all the daytime routes or just for the “core” routes considered to be Crosstown, Plank Road, Pleasant Valley, Flash and Greenwood.

Whatever the final decisions, the authority should have evaluation timetables in place for review of

ridership and other service details.

New ventures carrying some degree of risk — whether financial, allocation of manpower and/or equipment — need to be reviewed periodically in that way, and if hard decisions need to be made, there should be no reluctance to making them, no matter how unpopular they might be.

If the expanded service continues to attract significant ridership, having to make difficult decisions should not be necessary.

As mentioned earlier, any transportation entity pondering changes needs to have done its brainstorming and official homework to justify the moves being planned.

On a much larger scale than what is necessary for Amtran, that is what will have to happen regarding the passenger rail service Amtrak, if expanded passenger service ever is to become reality for places like Altoona and Johnstown and points west and east.

The Mirror strongly supports expanded passenger rail service — as well as expanded, more convenient bus service — but acknowledges what realities must be foremost in officials’ minds as they move forward with them.

But the issue of expanded bus service hours does not just rest with the current advocates for such wider service.

Amtran itself has the important task of spreading the word about the convenience and cost savings available to those choosing to ride a bus to and from work and for some shopping and errands, rather than opting for their personal vehicles.

In reality, the proposed changes are not huge but they represent a significant gamble, based on the understandable uncertainty over how much additional ridership they will generate.

The best conclusion to acknowledge now is that the service is not going to be available long term if only a few “regulars” patronize it.