Local governments face hard decisions about which social services to support, and how much support they can afford. But while municipal budgets are tight, some needs are so compelling that governments must pitch in: In Sullivan County, the imminent end of local bus service calls for action to try to save a valuable resource.

Recently the Community Alliance of Human Services announced that on Sept. 10 it would shut down its public bus and volunteer driver services after steady financial losses, amounting to an estimated $100,000 in 2016. The closing would put 10 people out of work, and strand many seniors, disabled people and workers who can’t afford a car. The bus service runs in Claremont, Newport and Charlestown; the volunteer driver program operates in 15 communities.

Losing bus service would be a serious blow to those who need it. Modern life is organized around motorized transportation; small neighborhood stores are mostly gone and much commerce has moved to pedestrian-unfriendly locations. Being able to get to jobs, medical appointments, shopping, libraries and government offices is one of the foundations of successful independent living. Individuals benefit, and society does as well, since the alternative might require even more expensive social services.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Commissioner Victoria Sheehan met with a delegation of county legislators last Thursday and said the state is doing what it can to find another nonprofit to take over the service. It’s hoped that a different agency would be able to run it with less administrative overhead.

The service gets $225,000 in funding from state and local sources, with Newport chipping in $5,000, Charlestown $14,000 and Sullivan County $25,000. Claremont, the largest community in the county and its commercial center, last year donated a parsimonious $1,300. The city has stopped supporting most service agencies in recent years, but the bus crisis suggests it’s time to reconsider that stand.

Rep. John Cloutier of Claremont said loss of public transit would be “a big blow to the city. The service they provide to Claremont residents is crucial.” “We need this service,” said Michelle Aiken, executive director of the Claremont Housing Authority, which runs senior housing where buses stop multiple times a day. Last week, Ursula Ramjit told the City Council she would likely lose her job at River Valley Community College if the buses stop running.

The perspective of Van Chesnut, executive director of Advance Transit in Wilder, which runs a successful bus service in Hanover, Hartford, Lebanon and beyond, is useful here: “The local communities need to support and champion the services,” he said. “Who is willing to invest time and resources to support this needed service?”

Employers, nonprofits and other funding sources can all do their part to save bus service in Sullivan County. And the city of Claremont has room to step up, too.