Bus Riders Union Protests Fare Hikes with Theater

Metro's proposed fare hike sparked a new kind of protest Tuesday. A group of LA bus riders and members of the Bus Riders Union gathered to call out Metro's proposed fare increase.

"We are saying no to any fare increases," said the Bus Riders Union's Barbara Lott-Holland. "They don't need anymore of our money."

Metro proposed two fare options. The first would raise the fare from the current $1.50 base to $1.75 in September, then $2.00 in 2017 and $2.25 by 2021. The other option would keep the current base fare of $1.50, but only during off peak hours. For peak hours, the fare will be set at $2.25.

"Metro is my primary source of transportation," said bus rider Steve Samayoa. "This possible fare hike means less money to buy food and clothes."

Metro representatives said the hike is necessary to avoid a budget deficit. They said fares only cover 26 percent of the cost of operating buses.

"We've only raised fares 3 times in the past 19 years," said Metro representative Rick Jagger. "We have this operating deficit. It's unsustainable if we don't do something about it."

Jagger encourages the public to go to the public hearing on Saturday. A vote on the fare hike is set for May.