Pace mass transit riders have a chance to weigh in on a proposed 25-cent fare increase in a series of hearings on Pace's proposed 2009 budget.

Fares on suburban fixed-route operations would increase for the first time in eight years.

"We realize that no one likes a fare increase, but the pressures of a slow economy and rising expenses have become too much to bear," Pace Board Chairman Richard Kwasneski said in a statement. "Implementing this fare increase is important to maintaining financial stability during these volatile times."

The regular adult fare will increase by 25 cents to $1.75, and adult fares on Metra feeder service as well as in local fare zones, found in Joliet, Aurora, Elgin and Waukegan, would increase by 50 cents to $1.75. Van pool fares would rise by 10 percent under the proposed plan.

Janice Minton-Kutz, vice president of the Calumet City Chamber of Commerce, said she and her husband ride mass transit more often these days because it's so economical. They support the increase, she said.

Minton-Kutz, who is 66, said she plans to take advantage of free fares for senior citizens in the future, but if she had to pay, the increase wouldn't bother her. The buses are well run and clean, she said.

"Twenty-five cents is not a big deal," Minton-Kutz said. "I don't think that 25 cents is going to make a difference at all. When you look at it, it's a bargain."

Budget pressures related to increased expenses and lost revenue necessitated the increase, according to Pace. Fuel costs are projected to overrun budgeted expenses by $8 million in 2008. Free ride programs and the veto of funding for the state's half-fare reimbursement added up to lost revenue of from $4.5 million to $6 million, and the soft economy resulted in $6 million less to Pace in public funding than anticipated.

Additionally, the lack of a reimbursement from the RTA for Pace's acceptance of the CTA's seven-day U-Pass and visitor's passes resulted in $6.4 million worth of rides on the Pace system. Pace proposes that it stop accepting the passes effective Jan. 1 unless the reimbursement issue is resolved.

"We realize this may place a strain on some passengers and it's inconsistent with the goal of creating a seamless regional system, but we cannot afford to provide what amounts to free trips to over 20 percent of our ridership base," Kwasneski said.

No fare increases for ADA Paratransit service are included in the proposed budget.

The availability of new funding, a result of legislation passed in January, will allow Pace to invest $7.5 million in the development of new transit service for the region.

Development of new bus service may be hampered, however, by a lack of available equipment. Pace says it needs to replace about one-sixth its roughly 700-bus fleet.

The suburban service operating budget, comprised of fixed-route bus, van pool and non-ADA dial-a-ride programs, amounts to $204.6 million. The regional ADA paratransit budget, which consists of Chicago and suburban paratransit operations, totals $107.2 million. The capital budget adds up to $43.3 million.