CATA’s board of directors will discuss the proposed increases at a Feb. 20 board meeting.

Sandy Draggoo, CATA’s CEO and executive director, said stagnant revenues, increased ridership and higher fuel prices led to the proposal.

“We haven’t had a fare increase in that base fare for a 13-year period of time, and revenues have not kept up with the increase of expenses,” Draggoo said.

CATA’s ridership has more than doubled in the past decade, increasing from 4.1 million in 1997 to nearly 10.7 million in 2007. Fuel costs, which have risen more than 200 percent in the past decade, have put a strain on CATA’s $36 million operating budget, said Pat Gilbert, CATA’s marketing director.

In November, CATA was denied a tax increase that would have brought millions of dollars in revenue from local residents. MSU’s partnership with CATA to provide bus services on campus, which is in its second year of a five-year contract, would not be affected by the proposal.

English junior Vanessa Schultz said an increase in fares would make her think twice before taking the bus for unnecessary trips.

“I don’t have a car or bike so I just either walk or if it’s far away, take the bus,” Schultz said. “If it’s an extra 25 cents every time, I don’t think I can do that.”

While CATA’s base fare rate has not increased since 1994, the student rate was raised from 25 cents to 50 cents in August 2001. Student semester pass rates were last increased in 2002.

Nine hearings, including two in Wells Hall, will be held during the next two weeks for public comment on the proposed price hikes. The first hearing will be Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. in C-211 Wells Hall.

Comments also can be made by e-mailing CATA at info@cata.org or calling CATA at (517) 394-1100. A complete list of the proposed price changes is available at www.cata.org.