Recession Hurting Transit Agencies Across U.S.

Atlanta's transit system is in the worst shape, according to the report, with a deficit equal to 18 percent of its operating budget. San Francisco's Muni system, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Chicago Transit Authority are also having tough times.

"Every agency, from the People Mover in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Tri-Rail in Miami, Florida, has been stretched. Colorado Springs in Colorado, for example, has eliminated one-third of its bus routes.

So far, in 2009, other California public transit services have proposed steep fare increases. The study found that both Torrance and West Covina, two California towns near Los Angeles, have looked into doubling their base fares."