Oct. 18--SAN BENITO -- For Dalia Elias, a new $660,000 public transit system offers her a sure ride to Harlingen and other cities in western Cameron County.

Friday, officials were trying to get out the message that the Rio Metro bus system had expanded into San Benito, La Feria, Santa Rosa and Primera.

"It's good because some times we don't have a ride and gas prices are high," Elias said after she parked her van at San Benito City Hall.

"It's something new," said Elias, a housewife. "I see a lot of people who walk to the clinic and sometimes we want to go to Harlingen and there's no ride."

Last Monday, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council added four buses to expand its Rio Metro system in Cameron County.

"This is our first week of operation and we're trying to get the word out," said Jay Saenz, the development council's assistant director of regional transit services.