ALBANY, N.Y. -- Rush hour each night, you'll see bus after bus rolling down Central Avenue, and if you ride, the cost for your ride home could be going up. The Capital District Transportation Authority is looking at closing a $9 million budget gap and looking to its riders to help do it.

“People who are the least able to afford the increases are going to bear the brunt of them,” said Barbara Smith, (D) Albany Common Councilwoman.

Smith was among a group of city politicians and concerned riders rallying against what they call an unfair fare hike. CDTA looking at making the standard ride $1.50 up from $1.

Members said they've collected 800 signatures on a petition against the increase, but CDTA said it really only has two choices.

“If we don't raise fares, we would have to reduce our service dramatically in this region,” said Ray Melleady, CDTA Executive Director.

Melleady said with the hike, the Authority is cutting back on unpopular routes and using money from its capital budget trying to close the gap. He says 2008 saw 15 million people riding the bus, but, members of the group say more direct lines are needed, for example, they said a no-transfer route between downtown neighborhoods and Albany Medical Center.

“They need to work more closely with employers public and private sector alike to find people better ways to ride the buses,” said Shawn Morris, (D) Albany Common Council President.

“We do that now. We have more than 100 corporate partners that work with us providing a benefit to their employees with volume discount purchases,” said Melleady.

Members of the group said CDTA should be looking for federal funding once the Obama administration takes over, but, Melleady said waiting for a new president, who has his own budget problems, isn't an option.