SEATTLE -- Metro Transit announced Thursday that it will propose a 25 cent increase to combat record levels of ridership and diesel fuel prices.

King County Executive Ron Sims said that this increase is needed in order to keep current services and to continue to deliver new ones. Sims opted for the proposed increase rather than cut service to pay for fuel costs that have skyrocketed over the year.

Metro said it had budgeted $2.60 per gallon for diesel this year. Now, due to the dramatic spike in fuel costs, it anticipates paying an average of $3.86 per gallon in 2008. That cost difference will create a deficit of more than $14 million in 2008, despite a fare increase earlier this year, Sims said.

"The sudden rise in the price of fuel has both increased transit demand and created the prospect of service cuts," said King County Councilmember Dow Constantine, chair of the council's Transportation Committee. "This is clearly no time to cut transit service. We look forward to hearing from the commuting public as we review the Executives proposal."

If approved by the county council, one-zone peak transit fares would increase 25 cents beginning Oct. 1 to $2 for adults from the current $1.75 fare. One zone non-peak would increase to $1.75 from the current $1.50. Senior fares will remain at 50 cents and youth fares will stay at 75 cents. Increases are also proposed for Access fares, vanpools and FlexPasses.

Sims is asking the Metropolitan King County Council for timely review of his transit proposals so they can take effect on Oct.1.