Buncombe County recently sent out a request for proposals from private firms to take over operations of its public transportation system. The system operates thirty-five vans and seven mini-buses, and made 138,311 trips last year. Continuing the service would cost the county about $600,000. The remainder of its $3 million budget is made up by government grants and user fees. Administration would be turned over to the Land-of-Sky Regional Council. LoSRS is a regional governmental planning agency funded by federal, state, and local tax collections. Also up for possible privatization would be Mountain Area JobLink, which provides employment training and counseling.