It's no surprise that businesses are slashing jobs and budgets left and right. However, even those who haven't lost their jobs are feeling the pain, and MTA customers will too, as early as June 2009. The MTA has formulated a budget that will raise the $2 fare to $2.50, and raise the express bus fare to $7 from $5. Also, the MTA will completely eliminate the W and Z lines, and over 140 bus routes. The monopoly stated that train and bus service was going to be less frequent. It's not fair to cut down service and raise the price. If I'm paying more money, I should be getting more satisfaction. Instead I'm getting more nonsense! Because the MTA is a monopoly, they can raise the prices as much as they want and are not obligated to provide outstanding service. And yet, they always encourage individuals to drive less and utilize the mass transit system. If the MTA is going to provide slow service on nights and weekends, it should be free! I think the government should take over the MTA.