Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced Tuesday that the base fare to ride MTA buses and trains will remain the same, but LIRR commuters may still see a hike.

Spitzer and MTA representatives said the basic $2 fare for subways and buses will remain the same through at least 2009. However, the cost of unlimited-ride monthly MetroCards and other discount programs may still increase.

State Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) complained the deal leaves riders on the MTA's suburban LIRR and Metro-North lines wide open for significant fare increases. According to the MTA, the prices could be going up on those lines sometime next year.

"It's not feasible to take the bus [to Manhattan]," said Jessica Reznak, of East Moriches. "I don't think it's fair that people out here have to pay more to go in."

The MTA said its decision to leave the single-ride fare at $2 instead of $2.25 came after an additional $220 million was found in its updated budget forecasts.AP wire reports contributed to this story.