Regional Transit officials are considering hiking fares and cutting service...even though total ridership is up 8.5% from last year. 

A public meeting on the suggested changes is set for Monday at 6 PM.  

General Manager Mike Wiley blames it on Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed transportation cuts.   

"We have a governor that’s proposed to raid public transit funding to the tune of $1.3 billion statewide and that would amount to an $11 million loss to us that would come directly out of our operating budget." 

But Governor Schwarzenegger says the cuts would help close the state’s $15 billion budget gap. 

RT officials are considering rate hikes ranging from 10% to 25% and eliminating weekend bus and light rail service. A final decision on the proposed changes is expected at the end of August.