The Metropolitan Transportation Authority met Wednesday to discuss its budget and voted to proceed with fare hike hearings.

MTA officials discussed their current financial crisis and a debt they claim they won?t get out of unless there is a fare hike. The possible fare hikes would affect the Long Island Rail Road, buses and subways.

One plan proposal suggests increasing the cost of weekly and monthly tickets for the LIRR. Under the proposal, the cost for single-ride tickets would stay the same.

Many LIRR riders say they are not happy about a possible fare hike. Many feel they pay too much already. Others, however, say they will continue riding the LIRR, despite a fare hike, because gas prices are still too high.

There will be public hearings on the possible fare hike for the next few months. A vote on potential fare hikes would not happen until December. The last time the MTA raised its fares was in 2005. Related information:MTA