You’ve probably heard that local bus ridership has been steadily increasing (and if you haven’t, it has) – but the city says the increased revenue from more and more riders is getting its ass kicked by increasing operating costs by $1.23 million. Those behemoth people movers don’t come cheap. From the L-T:

• The Eau Claire Transit system's continuing ridership increases haven't been enough to offset growing expenses and decreasing state aid, resulting in a significant cost increase for next year amid concerns about the system's future viability.
• City 2009 budget figures released Tuesday show a projected 10.53 percent increase in transit operating expenses for 2009, with expenses outpacing revenues by $1.23 million.
• The proposed budget includes a $1.23 million transit tax subsidy, a 23 percent subsidy increase over this year.

But things could get even worse if state aid for city transit continues to decline, and we won’t know how that all shakes out ’til next spring. So as of January 1, bus rides will now be $1.50 a pop.