JLF policy analyst Daren Bakst is quoted in part two of the N&R’s series on the end of cheap oil, which (admittedly) is more balanced than part one.

(It dawned on me the other day that, given the N&R’s eminent sale, people down on East Market Street are probably putting out resumes, and taking on big oil looks good on a resume, right?)

Bakst says —-gasp— people should decide for themselves whether or not they can afford oil:

“What should North Carolina do?” Bakst asked. “Nothing. The government doesn’t need to do anything.”

Except perhaps pressure the federal government to lift restrictions on offshore drilling, Bakst added.

Meanwhile, N&R casts the new PART routes in a more favorable light than the High Point Enterprise did yesterday:

There were few riders on the route’s first two days but, like many good things, PART’s newest commuter service probably needs a little time to hit its stride.

Give it several months for word to spread about how much money and exasperation commuters in Randolph County can save by climbing aboard, said Scott Rhine, programs manager for the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation.

….The battle to get commuters out of their single-occupant cars and onto a regional bus is being won one motorist at a time, he said.

“It’s just a matter of giving it a try, just once,” Rhine said. “You see how convenient it is. … ”