Atlanta's mass transit agency says it plans to raise fares by 25 cents in the coming fiscal year unless it manages to aggressively cut costs.

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority general manager Keith Parker says the fare increase would kick in during the fiscal year that starts July 1. That means one-way train or bus fare on MARTA would increase from $2.50 to $2.75.

Parker says the higher fares would raise an estimated $30 million for the transit agency. But he hopes it might be avoided if MARTA can implement cost-cutting measures aimed at saving $50 million.

Some proposals, such as having employees pay more for medical coverage, are likely to meet with union opposition.

Tags: transportation, MARTA, Atlanta transportation