All the night owls have something to be thankful for. While a magic pill substitute for sleep still has yet to materialize, no one needs to stay up worrying about the status of the weekend Night Owl bus service at least for now. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s decision to continue funding the service acknowledges the need for late night transportation options and proves the power of citizens’ voices. The buses, which run until 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, provide a valuable service and promote safety. By providing a cheap alternative to driving home, they reduce the reckless temptation to drive drunk and limit bar traffic. The Night Owl service benefits not only drunken students, but those who fly into Logan Airport late and all employees who work late whether mopping floors, performing surgery or serving all those drinks. Clearly, the Night Owl gives Bostonians an important alternative to expensive cabs, dangerous walking and challenging parking. Although the MBTA considered ending the service because of budget woes, cutting the service could have reduced night-life spending and adversely impacted the economy. While the buses will continue running this year, they will be reevaluated in 2004. Instead of toying with eliminating the Night Owl, the MBTA should look to improve it. Citizens showed how much they care about the service and it clearly benefits everyone in the city. Instead of relying on surpluses and special supplements to fund it, the MBTA needs to incorporate the Night Owl into its regular budget to ensure the program will continue. Also, Bostonians would benefit from increased hours. More people would use the service if it just extended regular ‘T’ hours. Virtually every Bostonian knows exactly where the subways run, so using ‘Ts’ instead of buses would provide convenience, familiarity and warmth downtown. Although expanding the Night Owl now may not be possible, the MBTA should consider how to expand service in the future, possibly by raising fares. Many people would not mind shelling out a little more after 1 a.m. to save the Night Owl and improve it. The Night Owl will continue running largely because the community spoke up after hearing its future was in jeopardy. Hundreds of phone calls, thousands of e-mails and numerous attendees at Tuesday’s meeting showed the MBTA how much people value the service. Although Boston University’s Student Union recognized how much this initiative affects college students and sent a statement to the Advisory Board, their voices would have been much stronger if they actually attended the meeting. At the very least, one of the nine e-board members should have taken an hour to speak at the meeting and represent BU students on this important issue. Although BU students should have shown more support for the valuable Night Owl service, thankfully many other Bostonians did and saved the program. While calls to speak out and work for change resound frequently, here is proof that speaking out works and change is possible.