MADISON, Wis. -- The mayor released plans for his 2009 budget and it including a 50-cent fare increase for Madison Metro Bus riders, bringing the total for one ride up to $2.

The mayor's office said a 25-cent increase would cover higher fuel costs but a 50-cent increase will also help expand bus services, WISC-TV reported.

But some riders and the mayor's office have different views.

"There's some people that I know that can barely afford it now, especially with the low income the ones who are on low budgets and stuff its going to make it rough on them, not the people who can afford it," said John Hensler.

"An increase of any kind is certainly not something that we want to do but what the mayor is looking at doing is doing it in a responsible way," said Rachel Strauch-Nelson, assistant to the mayor.

The mayor's office said low-income riders shouldn't worry -- the increase will double the number of low-income rider passes.