SF State students are concerned about looming Muni fare increases after the Municipal Transportation Agency approved a 2005-2006 budget that included fare increases, increased parking rates and fines, and service cuts.

The budget must now be approved Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors.

Many SF State students said they are already short on finances due to education and living costs, and increased Muni fares will just add to a list of monthly expenses that are already difficult to manage.

Sociology major Katie Klain, 22, already has enough trouble scraping together the current fares.

“Obviously I don’t have the money,” Klain said. “I mean, I’m sneaking on the bus right now.”

Klain said the increase would discourage her and other students from riding Muni.

“It’s unfortunate because SF has one of the best public transportation systems, that we can’t utilize because the fares keep going up,” Klain said.

Muni’s new budget is intended to bail the transportation agency out of a $57.3 million deficit by increasing adult fares from $1.25 to $1.50, senior and youth fares from 35 to 50 cents, and monthly passes from $45 to $50. If the mayor’s office and the board of supervisors approve the budget, the increases could take effect as soon as Sept. 1.

But it may be too soon to panic. San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin said the proposed budget is “hanging in the balance” of the board’s approval.

“It requires eight votes to reject (the budget),” Peskin said, “And we’re darn close to that number.”

Peskin is concerned that Muni’s deficit will fall entirely on the shoulders of the riders and not on beneficiaries of Muni’s services, such as downtown businesses that rely on Muni for their commuting employees.

Peter Ragone, communications director for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, said that the mayor would rather not increase fares, but acknowledges that Muni is in “severe” financial trouble and needs a solution.

“The mayor is open to all potential options,” Ragone said. “He will consider all potential alternatives put forth by the board of supervisors and others.”

Student Orlando Modeno, 34, said that the fare increase is actually not that bad, considering the fact that Muni is still cheaper than public transportation in many U.S. cities.

“I think (the fare increase) is consistent with fares across country,” said Modeno. “I feel it’s a pretty good deal, it’s very justifiable.”

Public transportation fares for a one-way bus ticket in New York City are $5 during peak hours and riders must pay extra for transfers. Sacramento bus fares already cost $1.50, but transportation in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. is only $1.25.

Another of Peskin’s concerns is increased pollution from former Muni riders opting to drive their cars instead of paying the high rates.

Christopher Cornell, 35, a broadcast and electronic communication arts major, said that he would not hesitate to start driving to school if the fares go up.

“If they’re going to make it too much of a pain, I might as well drive,” said Cornell.

SF State computer science major Eric Gregory, 23, said that the fare increases would be more acceptable if there was an increase in service, rather than a decrease.

“It’s kinda like if you work somewhere and you ask for a raise, and at the same time you want to be less productive,” Gregory said. “I think they obviously need the money. I just wish they didn’t have to gouge me for it.”