* * *
Save the buses: Keeping Madison Metro Transit from making any service cuts has been so far the liveliest topic as the council engages the public on next year's budget.
Of the 10 speakers at a public hearing Tuesday night, eight of them said the city should ensure, at the least, that Metro does not have to reduce its schedule.
Cieslewicz has increased city funding to Metro over the last two years by 14 percent, but the increases marked for next year do not cover the expected rise in costs, driven partly by the spike in fuel prices.
Making up the gap -- a move that's being championed by local political party Progressive Dane -- would cost an additional $500,000.
Michael Barrett, one of the speakers Tuesday, said a public transportation system is an investment that's good for business and crucial to the health of any city.