Bus riders and advocates are calling for Nassau County to contribute more to the county's privatized NICE bus system to improve services.

Before 2012, the county contributed $10 million per year to the MTA to run the public buses. Now, Nassau contributes $2.5 million to Veolia, the company that operates NICE.

Bus riders and transportation advocates believe the wide funding difference is to blame for services cuts, late buses and a fare hike that was implemented last year.

A NICE bus spokesperson says the company will release its budget this week and it hopes for additional funding from the county to allay riders' concerns.