This short article describes how the rising costs of fuel, coupled with the loss of state funding has forced local bus services to be curtailed, cut, and implement rising fares. Ridership in the city from January through May rose 4.4% over comparable figures for 2004, according to Metro Transit statistics.The last fare increases for city routes was in January 2003. Fares for the four county routes operated by Metro Transit were raised two years ago.For Waukesha routes, daily adult and student fares would rise 25 cents, bringing the costs to $1.50 and $1.25, respectively. Senior citizen and disabled fares would increase 15 cents, from 60 cents to 75 cents. Monthly passes for adults would increase $8, to $38, and student passes would increase by $6, to $29. Transit officials are considering reducing service on Route 4 for Carroll College and South High School; on Route 6 for West High School and the Fox Run Shopping Center; and Route 8 for Butler Middle School and North High School.For county routes that transport riders to downtown Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee along I-94 and I-43, adult and student daily fares would increase 25 cents and fares for the disabled and senior citizens would rise by 15 cents. Children who are between 5 and 17 would pay 25 cents more.The increases mean riders who board buses at Highway 83 on I-94, Highway 164 on I-43, and at stops west of those two fare zones would pay $3 for daily adult fares, $2 for students and children, and $1.50 for the disabled and senior citizens.For riders who board in the eastern fare zone, daily fares would be $2.50 for adults and $1.50 for students and children.