New York, NY —

Rumors of another subway and bus fare hike are heating up. Today, the MTA board will discuss its preliminary budget for the next 4 years. An increase is widely expected due to an anticipated deficit of $800 million in 2008.

REPORTER: The base fare of $2 per ride hasn't changed since 2003, but weekly and monthly fares went up in 2005. Bill Henderson, of the agency's Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee, says the poor would get hit the hardest, because they can't always afford the weekly or monthly cards, which lower the $2 per ride fee.

HENDERSON: The average fare paid by the people who have a 30-day unlimited metro card is considerably lower than the people putting $2 in quarters into a bus fare box.

REPORTER: The MTA has said it will need state assistance to avoid having riders carry the entire load and to avoid service cuts.