The Cost of a Commute

By Jeninne Lee-St. John with bureau reports

San Francisco residents got a shock earlier this month when transit authorities proposed raising fares on the city's cable cars this fall from $3 to $5, to help close a $57 million budget deficit. Tight budgets are cramping public transportation in cities across the country. A look at how transit fares are faring. --By Jeninne Lee-St. John with bureau reports

SAN FRANCISCO Fare-hike proponents say mostly tourists use cable cars, but with visitors and locals complaining of the proposed "Disneyland prices," the city is scrambling for other options

CHICAGO A $55 million budget gap has transit officials debating doomsday scenarios for the El and buses, including hiking fares from $1.75 to $3.40, laying off 3,500 employees and cutting service

MIAMI Floridians still love their cars, but in downtown Miami they beat the traffic with the Metromover. The elevated train travels only a 1.9-mile loop but is the nation's best deal: it's free

NEW YORK CITY A $2 fare for 500 miles of subway routes provides a lot of ride for the buck. But a recent price hike in monthly and weekly fares coincided with a rash of delays, leaving commuters raging

ATLANTA To entice more riders onto its three-line rail system, MARTA is installing five flat-screen TVs in every train car to help commuters pass the time. Advertisers pay, so the fare stays at $1.75